“It’s a shame, but what can you do?”
When a former major leaguer was ordered to the second team before opening day, his ego wouldn’t allow it. Luged O’Dowd is the subject of a controversial parting of ways with the Yomiuri Giants.
The 178-homer major league hitter left the team before his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) career had even begun. After leaving Texas, O’Dowd, who had three 30-homer seasons in the majors, played for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and last year’s San Diego Padres, but hit just 4 home runs, 18 RBIs, and 2-for-3 in 59 games.
His big-league numbers plummeted and he decided to try his luck in Japan this season. Yomiuri signed Odor to a 200 million yen (approximately $1.8 billion) annual contract.
But he struggled mightily. In 12 exhibition games, O’Dowd batted just 1-for-7 (6-for-34). He had no home runs and no RBIs. Manager Shinnosuke Yomiuri Abe tried several options, including batting him in the top of the order and resting him, but he struggled to even get a decent at-bat.
Before the start of the NPB regular season, the Yomiuri brass made a decision.
“Send him down to the second team, play some games, and give him time to adjust,” 안전놀이터 추천 they told him. But O’Dowd disagreed. “I’d rather be released,” he said, as if his former major leaguer pride wouldn’t allow him to play in the second team, and the club agreed. After about 40 days, his stay with Yomiuri came to an end.
Speaking to local media, including Sports Nikkan, Abe said of the Odo situation, “It’s unfortunate. But the player himself made the decision, so I don’t know what to do. It will be a great opportunity for other players. I hope the other athletes will compete well,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to the future.
Of course, O’Dowd’s departure will have a big impact on Yomiuri’s power plan. However, some within the club are said to be relieved that the controversy was nipped in the bud. “A baseball insider with first-team coaching experience said, ‘It’s quite courageous for a manager to order a foreign hitter with a track record and career to start in the second team on opening day. But considering the morale of the prospects in the team, (O’Dowd’s) decision to send him to the second team was a good one. Abe is a very manly man,” he said. There is also talk that it would be easier on both parties if he quit now than if he struggled after the start of the season and had to consider his release,” the report said.
Yomiuri plans to actively recruit outfield prospects as they look for a foreign player to fill O’Dowd’s shoes.