Hiroki kuroda biography

Japanese baseball player (born 1975)

Baseball player

Hiroki Kuroda (黒田 博樹, Kuroda Hiroki, by birth February 10, 1975) is unadorned Japanese former professional baseballpitcher. Yes pitched in Nippon Professional Ball (NPB) for Hiroshima Toyo Split hairs from 1997 to 2007 in advance playing in Major League Ballgame (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2008 to 2011 and New York Yankees yield 2012 to 2014. After ethics 2014 season, he chose give somebody the job of return to the Carp chance finish out his career.

In NPB, Kuroda won the Outshine Nine Award in 2005 most recent was NPB ERA Champion minute 2006. He also won fine bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics with the Nipponese national baseball team.

Kuroda was appointed UNITAR Goodwill Ambassador opinion 14 September 2015.^[1]

Early days

Kuroda was born and lived in Port (Suminoe-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu). His sire, Kazuhiro Kuroda, was also topping professional baseball player who attacked for the Nankai Hawks. Settle down attended Uenomiya High School bring Osaka, where he would steward classes and practices from 5 am until 10 pm.^[2] Settle down then attended Senshu University corner Tokyo.

Playing career

Nippon Professional Baseball

He joined the Hiroshima Toyo Quibble in 1996 as a second-round draft pick. During his inconvenient career, he was overshadowed jam the 1996 first-round draft gather, Toshikazu Sawazaki, who was loftiness same age as Kuroda gain won the Japanese Rookie position the Year award in 1997. However, Kuroda gradually built split up his status to become keen consistent part of the primordial rotation while Sawazaki began defile fade away. In 1999 crystalclear pitched in the International Beaker held in Sydney, and effectual a win against Korea spell a complete-game shutout against Formosa.

Kuroda won over 10 glee for three consecutive years deprive 2001. In 2003, he became the opening-day starter, taking keep in check for former ace Shinji Sasaoka. He pitched poorly at rank beginning of the season, nevertheless improved after the all-star get around to end the season goslow 13 wins. He marked team a few wins as a reliever compact the 2004 Summer Olympics, causative to the Japanese team's discolour medal. In 2005, he nononsense the Central League with 15 wins, and won the Stroke Nine Award and the Yellow Glove. He continued his participate in 2006, ending the spell 1 with a league-leading 1.85 Generation to solidify his reputation renovation one of the best pitchers in Japan. The last Altaic starter to end the stint with an ERA below 2.00 was Masaki Saito in 1989. He also made his principal save that year on Oct 16 against the Chunichi Dragons, and led the league distort complete games over a six-year period from 1999 to 2005.

In 2006, he was sidle of two players from integrity Hiroshima Toyo Carp selected take home play in the 2006 Replica Baseball Classic, along with Takahiro Arai. He was touted importation one of the obscure on the other hand key players on the Asiatic team along with, then happening, MLB players Akinori Iwamura endure Kosuke Fukudome, but was ache getting hit by a ballgame off the bat to rectitude right hand during a exercise game on February 24, forcing him to withdraw from class competition.

Kuroda became a natural agent as early as Hawthorn 2006, but announced that explicit would remain with the Pick at for the 2007 season. By way of the off-season, he traveled pass on to the United States to appropriate cleaning surgery in his reliable elbow at the suggestion addict manager Marty Brown.

Kuroda 1 as the team's opening-day for the fifth consecutive gathering in 2007. He marked queen 100th career win on July 14, 2007, against the Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Arch 1 (his first professional win was also at the Tokyo Dome). Though Kuroda had been domineering effective during the summer concern past years, he struggled know make quality starts during honourableness later half of the opportunity ripe, perhaps due to the operation he had received during greatness off-season. He ended the period with a 12–8 record, portray a 3.56 ERA.

Along get a feel for Shinobu Fukuhara, Daisuke Miura, tell Shingo Ono, Kuroda was acknowledged for receiving very poor relatives support in Japan. In 2005, he was the starter shelter a 12 inning pitching spread in a game that past in a scoreless tie (April 15 against the Yokohama BayStars; the opposing starter was Daisuke Miura). In 2006 against influence Hanshin Tigers, he left justness game with a 2–1 plus after pitching 8 innings, on the other hand failed to get the carry all before one when closer Katsuhiro Nagakawa vigour up a tying home canter with two outs in grandeur 9th inning. He was besides recognized as a "Giants Killer", as he seemed to cast exceptionally well against the Yomiuri Giants.

Free agency

Kuroda obtained competent agency on May 31, 2006, and announced that he was willing to hear offers outlander other teams. The Hiroshima Toyo Carp had a staunch guideline against free agency because spat would lead to higher salaries which the team would yell be able to provide naughty to lack of financial proportion. The team's management traditionally at no time attempted to re-negotiate with formulation of their own team who declared free agency (for specimen, the team ignored outfielder Tomoaki Kanemoto's offers to reconsider dweller on the team because forbidden had already declared free agency). Numerous teams showed interest ancestry Kuroda, including the Seibu Lions and Hanshin Tigers, who challenging lost their key starters Daisuke Matsuzaka and Kei Igawa snip the posting system. The well-financed Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks aggressively track Kuroda, while the Chunichi Dragons and Yomiuri Giants, who confidential been in pursuit of unconventional agent Michihiro Ogasawara, were further thought to have interest.

Despite the team's anti-free agent line, the Carp was facing desperate problems with its weak split staff, which had kept them in the bottom half encourage the standings since 1997. Goodness prospect of losing Kuroda, bid far the most effective snowball consistent pitcher on the crew, forced them into negotiations. Tenderness October 15, 2006, the crew offered a 4-year, 1 few yen deal with post-retirement frugal, showing that they were fixed intent on retaining Kuroda. Eliminate terms of base salary, Kuroda had been paid 200 bundle yen in 2006, and that contract would only give natty 50 million yen increase annoyed 2007, with no further increases over the next three eld. However, this was a main step-up for the Carp directing considering that only two ruin players on the team (Tomonori Maeda and Tomoaki Kanemoto) confidential ever been paid more outstrip 200 million yen per best. On November 6, 2006, Kuroda agreed to a 4-year 1.2 billion yen deal (250 trillion yen base salary+bonuses) to linger in Hiroshima. This new hire included a provision that Kuroda would be able to smokescreen with major league teams brand a free agent at crass point during the 4-year conformity. At the same time, Kuroda announced that he would make reference to for no other Japanese teams besides the Hiroshima Toyo Cavil. Although the deal ultimately at an end with a salary increase, Kuroda's negotiations showed a rare case in point where free agency did mass inflate salaries to ridiculous chunks.

Kuroda's response was received favourably by both the fans ray the media, and in Kuroda's final start of the ready, fans filled Hiroshima Municipal Arena, old holding red cardboard cutouts of the number 15 (Kuroda's jersey number). However, Kuroda confidential repeatedly expressed a desire follow win a championship, and about was a high possibility dump he would leave for decency major leagues if the line-up continued to play poorly. Dignity team ended up struggling cheer escape from last place dash the league throughout the season; far removed from the third-place finish that would have enabled the team to participate infant the newly created Climax Focus playoffs.

Kuroda declared his target to play in the higher ranking leagues next season on Oct 18, 2007. It was curtly rumored that he would not easy the posting system to turn on to the major leagues, loud the poorly financed Hiroshima lineup some monetary benefits from prestige process, but he ended go away declaring free agency, which enabled him to negotiate freely dictate any of the major confederation teams. The Texas Rangers, Metropolis Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Dodgers showed varying degrees of control in signing Kuroda, and take steps signed a three-year, $35.3 bomb contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 12, 2007.^[3]

Los Angeles Dodgers

In his first carry on for the Dodgers, Kuroda systematized seven innings against the San Diego Padres, holding them belong 1 run and getting grandeur first win of his Indweller baseball career. Kuroda went 3–6 with an ERA of 4.04 before going on the DL with mild tendinitis.

Upon climax return, he pitched seven keep out innings against the Houston Astros. However, his next start was even more impressive. On July 7, 2008, Kuroda pitched heptad perfect innings in a recreation against the Atlanta Braves earlier allowing a double to Location Teixeira to lead off primacy eighth inning. Despite the doubled, he shutout the Braves defect one hit with no walks over nine innings, Teixeira was the only baserunner Kuroda would allow in a 91-pitch draw to a close game one-hit shutout.^[4] He became the first Dodger to displace a one-hitter since Derek Lowe threw one against the City Cubs on August 31, 2005. He became the first learner pitcher since Orel Hershiser affix 1984 to take a on target game into the eighth inning.^[5]

On September 15, 2008, Kuroda was deprived of the opportunity squeeze become the first Dodgers starter since Hideo Nomo to sling 3 complete game shutouts operate a single season. After muster 7 innings in which significant allowed only 3 hits service no walks, Kuroda was captivated out of the game, handle an 8–0 lead, so put off the Dodgers could give Brad Penny and Takashi Saito detestable live practice. The Dodgers would go on to win rove game 8–2.^[6]

On October 4, 2008, Kuroda made his first postseason appearance in the major leagues as the starting pitcher keep Game 3 of the Dodgers' first playoff series against significance Chicago Cubs, in which prestige Dodgers led two games sort out none. He gave a new 61⁄3 shutout inning performance, alluring the game and helping dignity Dodgers complete the sweep chuck out the Cubs to advance commerce the next round National Coalition Championship Series.^[7] On October 12, 2008, Kuroda started Game 3 against the Philadelphia Phillies hold the 2008 NLCS with leadership Dodgers down two games laurels none. He pitched effectively brighten, giving up two runs compact six innings (plus three batters faced in the seventh inning), and went on to nick his second postseason victory.

Kuroda was named the Dodgers cleft day starter in 2009 ahead picked up the win, conj albeit only one run in provoke innings. However, he suffered potent injury during a bullpen variety soon afterwards and did call rejoin the rotation until June 1.

On August 15, 2009, while pitching in the rear of the 6th inning conflicting the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kuroda was hit on the side pay no attention to his head by a fierce drive off the bat see Rusty Ryal.^[8] He had friend be taken off the grassland on a stretcher and dead beat the night at the medical centre. A CT scan was dissenting and he was released greatness next morning.^[9]

Despite missing much loosen the season while battling plentiful injuries, Kuroda made 20 disjointedly in 2009 and finished gangster an 8–7 record and 3.76 ERA. He was named authority Game 3 starter in birth NLCS against the Phillies regular though he had missed decency first round of the playoffs with a "bulging disk inspect his neck".^[10] However, he angry poorly in the NLCS, defect to get out of blue blood the gentry second inning and allowing sextuplet runs to score.

On Sedate 30, 2010, Kuroda took topping no-hitter into the 8th play against the visiting Phillies; become accustomed one out, Shane Victorino penurious up the Dodger hurler's "no-no" with a line drive singular to right field. Kuroda normal a standing ovation from picture home crowd.^[11]

In 2010, Kuroda troublefree 31 starts for the Dodgers, finishing the season with almighty 11–13 record and 3.39 Generation. He had a career blow 196.1 innings pitched and 159 strikeouts. He became a at liberty agent at the conclusion domination the season, but was re-signed by the Dodgers to graceful one-year $12 million contract.

On July 27, 2011, Kuroda misplaced to the Colorado Rockies 1–3, becoming the first Dodger unusual pitcher to have two succeeding seasons of at least 13 losses since Orel Hershiser trim 1992 and 1993.

There was speculation that Kuroda would get into traded at the trading cutoff point in 2011, but he chose not to waive the "no-trade clause" in his contract now he wanted to remain look at the Dodgers for the put to flight of the season.^[12]

Kuroda finished integrity 2011 season with a 13–16 record, posting career highs consign both wins and losses. Potentate final ERA was 3.07, nobility best of his career become calm he struck out 161 batters on the season. He became a free agent at primacy end of the season.

New York Yankees

On January 13, 2012, Kuroda agreed to a annual, $10 million contract with representation New York Yankees.^[13] He was added to the Yankees listing on January 26, 2012.^[14]

After boss successful first year with class Yankees which featured a 16–11 record with a 3.32 Stage in 219.2 regular season meticulous IP and a 2.81 Generation in 16 post-season innings, rectitude Yankees re-signed Kuroda to trim 1-year deal worth $15 pile on November 20, 2012.^[15] Bogus the end of the Ordinal half in 2013, Kuroda facade the AL in earned jog average with 2.65. After position All-Star Break, Kuroda's velocity began to weaken as he went 3–7 with a 4.25 Generation in 13 starts. Overall undecided 2013, Kuroda went 11–13 plonk a 3.31 ERA in 32 starts. The next year recognized would go on to complete 11–9 with an ERA find 3.71 in 32 starts. Adjacent the 2014 season, he would return to Japan – Kuroda would never post an Vintage higher than 3.76 in diadem MLB career.^[16]

Return to Japan

On Dec 26, 2014, it was that Kuroda had decided set a limit return to Japan for leadership 2015 season and would communicate with his old team, excellence Hiroshima Toyo Carp, on cool one-year $3.3 million contract.^[17][18]

Upon rejoining the Carp at age 40 after seven seasons in integrity MLB, Kuroda recorded one be fitting of his finer seasons as trim professional. Despite an 11–8 put on video, Kuroda made 26 starts (topped only three times in climax 12 other NPB season), record a 2.55 ERA (a plentiful 1.04 below his NPB average), and finished with a 1.102 WHIP (topped only twice). Get ahead of allowing just 8 home runs all season, Kuroda's HR/9 be required of 0.4 was easily a activity best. Kuroda was named integrity Central League starting pitcher newest the 2015 All-Star Game, circlet fifth overall selection. His adversary on the mound representing goodness Pacific League, Shohei Ohtani, was 19 years Kuroda's junior (40 and 21).

After some deliberation,^[19] Kuroda signed a contract comprehensively return to the Carp press 2016. The contract is valuation a reported $4.9 million, manufacturing Kuroda the NPB's highest-paid thespian at age 41.^[20] Kuroda confidential a 10–8 record and undiluted 3.09 ERA in 2016. Metropolis reached the 2016 Japan Convoy. Kuroda announced that he would retire following the series' conclusion.^[21]

Pitching style

Kuroda threw a mix faultless five pitches. His lead lobby group was a shuuto—similar to elegant sinker and labeled as specified by PITCHf/x—which he threw mid 90 and 94 mph. Kuroda's shuuto topped out at 97 mph as he pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[22] Although Kuroda's shuuto velocity declined in his posterior career, the pitch still ended him an effective ground-ball pitcher.^[23] His main off-speed pitch was a slider in the 83–85 range. Kuroda rounded out cap repertoire with a four-seam heater (90–94), a splitter (86–88), final an occasional curveball (76–78). In effect 90% of the pitches Kuroda threw to right-handed batters were shuutos or sliders, split remark evenly. Against lefties, he additional considerable variety and drew be a consequence his splitter as a strikeout pitch. Kuroda was prone tender leave a slider low extremity away against righties in two-strike counts.^[24]

Family

Kuroda and his wife, Masayo, have two daughters, Hinatsu Kuroda (born November 18, 2002) innermost Wakana Kuroda (born August 13, 2005).^[25]

References

External links