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So Taguchi Has Lost His Wa
But the Phillies' slumping outfielder remains determined to find it.
In 2006 he smacked a pinch-hit home run during game three of the division series against the San Diego Padres. During game two of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets that same year, he belted a tie-breaking pinch hit solo home run off Billy Wagner in the top of the ninth. He hit a two-run pinch-hit double off Wagner in the top of the ninth during game six of the same series.
Taguchi batted .400 during the Cardinals' 2006 championship run, collecting six hits in 15 at-bats. He started three of the five World Series games against Detroit.
In 2007 he had 13 pinch hits in 32 at-bats for the Cards, the best average in the National League.
"It was a long standing O," says Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino, who's one-quarter Japanese. "That was really an honor."
In Taguchi's second at-bat against his former team, he singles up the middle. The crowd again jumps to its feet.
"It was an awesome night," says Taguchi, who's the only Japanese player in the major leagues who doesn't employ a translator.
"I couldn't hold my tears," says Taguchi's wife Emiko.
The hordes of Japanese media who document the every move of ballplayers like Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui and Daisuke Matsuzaka generally snub Taguchi.
He's not an everyday player and he's not flamboyant. The only time they cover him is when he's playing against a team with a Japanese superstar. It's called tsuide--taking advantage of an opportunity. It's a word with negative connotations.
When the Boston Red Sox arrive at Citizens Bank Park in mid-June, tsuide is on Taguchi's mind.
Still, he follows his rigorous pregame ritual, ignoring the handful of Japanese cameramen and reporters who follow the Bosox. Most of the Japanese media have gone to Allentown to watch Matsuzaka make a rehab start against the Iron Pigs.
It's only when Taguchi greets the Red Sox's relief pitcher Hideki Okajima near the batting cage that the cameras come to life.
"I say to Okajima, 'Let me hit!'" Taguchi later jokes.
But as usual Taguchi experiences the playofflike atmosphere only from the bench for most of the game. He enters as a pinch runner for Burrell in the bottom of the sixth but doesn't get to bat. The Phillies win 8-2. The closest Taguchi gets to home plate is the on-deck circle with Okajima on the mound in the bottom of the eighth.
"I don't get a lot of at-bats," Taguchi says. "I have to keep my feelings fresh. Everyday players have to adjust from at-bat to at-bat. I have to adjust during each at-bat, from pitch to pitch. It's a new challenge."
In Japan Taguchi started nearly every game, batting second behind Suzuki for the Orix BlueWave, Taguchi's hometown team. Both players were drafted in 1992: Taguchi as the team's No. 1 one pick and Suzuki at No. 4.
"They made one of the best outfields in Japanese baseball history," says Nagao.
Taguchi and Suzuki covered massive territory--and had fun doing so.
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1. Charles Zimbabwe said... on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:36AM
“nice piece. seems like a very nice, respectful man. quite admirable. will def root harder for toguchi to do well now. hopefully it's just a confidence issue.”
2. Mischa said... on Jul 9, 2008 at 11:36AM
“Again, So seems like a very nice, respectful team player all of which partly charaterizes a good big league player. Now Taguchi was brough to the Phillies to be a pinch hitting specialist, a roll that he has been playing a top the NL. So is batting at the Mendoza line, which is a 79 point drop from his career BA. His OBP and SLG also declined dramatically his season as well when compared to his career averages. Taguchi has also made some defenesive mistakes. Now Taguchi is hitting at .167 since the Phillies 20-2 victroy over the Cards on June 13th which is the last time Taguchi has reached base safely on a hit. This may all be a symptom of the fact that he does not bat as much as he has in his impressive pro career. Also Since that June evening in St. Louis, noone on the team has been hitting they way they have in the past. But coming of arguably the best season So has had in the Majors, it is reasonable for the Manuel, the organizations and the fans to expect more from him. The fact that he has gotten more abats and starts else where can serve to explain his lack of production but does not excuse it. With the Phillies again in a heated race for the post-season and with Jayson Werth continuing to play the best baseball of his career, Taguchi will, for better or worst, continue to watch his role on the team dimenish. Personally I was excited when Taguchi was signed last off-season, but I won't be that sad to see him leave this organization. With the Phillies narrowly in First place there is no room for a nice guy, who finishes last. Interesting Article though.”
3. Kuroshio said... on Jul 9, 2008 at 12:00PM
“As a martial artist who has studied Japanese culture and martial arts both in the US and Japan, I appreciate so much the effort (doryoku) that So Taguchi puts out every day. As fans, we never get a chance to see it because he never gets a chance to play, and his hard work to stay in shape physically and mentally goes unnoticed. I am also very impressed with the way he has worked to become competent in English. It speaks well of this man that he even cares to do this. I know it must be killing Taguchi-san to not be doing well here. Hopefully he will get a chance to do what he is capable of doing. Gambatte, Taguchi-san. Kuroshio”
4. Akaoni said... on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:19PM
“Big difference between Tony LaRusa and Charlie Manuel. Keep utility players flesh or rusty. Remember when Dobbs had an error a couple nights ago? It is same type of thing when Taguchi had an error for LAA game. They will keep on losing if their main players not hitting. Because you can't expect that utility players play good because of the way Phillies' manager use them. Do you think it is not true? See how LaRusa use his men in this three days. He uses them very well in both winning and losing games as usual.”
5. Holly said... on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:31PM
“Great article. So Taguchi seems like a really nice and admirable guy. I root for him every time he's at-bat. All the best, So!”
6. Christopher said... on Sep 23, 2008 at 06:21PM
“This was a solid, interesting piece. Not a lot of profiles on the 25th man on a 25-man team. Thanks.”
7. CardinalFan said... on Sep 28, 2008 at 11:15PM
“I love this article - I've been Taguchi's fan for a long time now - and it's really hard for me to go on the website checking to see if he gets a chance to bat..and if he gets a hit or not...I was so sad to see him leave the Cardinals...and a big change @ the Phillies... I don't think Phillies needs him - I would love to see him to go to a team that needs him next sason. Go Taguchi - I will be supporting you as always :) Thanks for the great article again!”
8. Wa said... on Sep 29, 2008 at 12:15AM
“I love this article - I've been Taguchi's fan for a long time now - and it's really hard for me to go on the website checking to see if he gets a chance to bat..and if he gets a hit or not...I was so sad to see him leave the Cardinals...and a big change @ the Phillies... I don't think Phillies needs him - I would love to see him to go to a team that needs him next sason. Go Taguchi - I will be supporting you as always :) Thanks for the great article again!”
9. CardinalFan said... on Oct 30, 2008 at 01:46PM
“I just want him to come back to St. Louis...”
10. Machida said... on Apr 15, 2009 at 05:18AM
“I was a resident of the States for 37 years. I have been a fan of Major league Baseball. I watched So Taguchi play for St.Louis Cardinals over the T.V. In 2007 in Fall my friends and I drove 3 and half hour from Indiana to watch the game. So Taguchi was a pinch runner that evening. I had a prayer this evening for him. I respect him for his baseball spirit.”