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Post by huskies15 on May 22, 2019 13:18:21 GMT -5
Koji announce his reitrement this week, and it brought back great memories. Maybe my favorite development from that 2013 team, besides the heart-felt connection to the city, was watching the maestro that Koji was. Ruthless efficiency with a vivacious energy. The most automatic thing about that team was that Koji would come in and the game would end. Then he'd run off the field, high five everything in sight, only to end up getting bear hugged and carried off the field by Big Papi. He was the closest thing the Red Sox have ever had to Rivera. His entrance at Fenway to "Sandstorm" came to rival Rivera's "Enter Sandman". He was just a lot of fun to root for and someone who I will always look back on and smile. Cheers Koji!! Fangraphs has an article about Koji's career and it's very interesting to read about his early Japan years. blogs.fangraphs.com/koji-uehara-hangs-it-up/ |
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Post by jimed14 on May 22, 2019 13:30:42 GMT -5
Two super interesting things from that article. One, they listed a chart for Reliever bWAR Ranks (After Age 34) on a fangraphs blog. Two, Koji struck out Barry Bonds 3 times in an exhibition game in 2002, which was in the middle of his video game seasons. Bonds went about a season and a half without doing that.
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Post by bluechip on May 22, 2019 14:18:55 GMT -5
I hope he walked off the field on last time and gave everyone a high-five.  |
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radiohix
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Post by radiohix on May 22, 2019 14:30:30 GMT -5
I hope he walked off the field on last time and gave everyone a high-five. I hope we're all in agreement that this is the greatest Gif of all time. |
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radiohix
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Post by radiohix on May 22, 2019 14:31:44 GMT -5
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Post by iakovos11 on May 22, 2019 15:12:31 GMT -5
He's got to be better than Thornburg right now.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on May 22, 2019 15:20:21 GMT -5
He's got to better than Thornburg right now. Lmao, comment of the year. I literally laughed out loud at this. Funny stuff, good stuff. |
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Post by soxin8 on May 22, 2019 15:40:35 GMT -5
In his retirement press conference, Koji said his 100 wins, 100 holds and 100 saves (don't know if that was both leagues combined or just Japan) only meant he was mediocre at everything. I think he was being very humble and everyone on this board would disagree with that assessment.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on May 22, 2019 15:49:59 GMT -5
I've already launched a bunch of tributes to Koji and will refrain here other than to say he deserves every damn one of them. He was the most enjoyable stress free relief pitcher I have ever had the pleasure of watching and every time I see the last out of 2013 I will always remember him fondly.
Here's a question that I wonder if anybody can answer?
Has there ever been 1 pitcher who closed out the team's division clinching victory, division series victory, league championship series victory, and World Series victory - with a swinging strike out in every one of those victories?
Koji struck out Bret Lawrie swinging to clinch the AL East.
Koji struck out Evan Longoria swinging to wrap up the ALDS.
Koji struck out Jose Iglesias swinging to wrap up the ALCS.
Koji struck out Matt Carpenter swinging to clinch the World Series.
Bet you it was the splitter in every case.
He was one of a kind. I hope we see him around Boston one day when they celebrate the 2013 team and hopefully induct him into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.
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Post by swingingbunt on May 22, 2019 16:07:09 GMT -5
I hope he walked off the field on last time and gave everyone a high-five. I hope we're all in agreement that this is the greatest Gif of all time. *Looks at profile pic* It is |
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Post by Oregon Norm on May 22, 2019 17:32:02 GMT -5
The guy was absolutely fearless and, as contrary as it might seem, overpowering. Most hitters he faced knew it too. I don't think I've ever felt as supremely confident about an outcome as when he was on the mound. What a great player.
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Post by fenwaythehardway on May 22, 2019 19:16:04 GMT -5
In his retirement press conference, Koji said his 100 wins, 100 holds and 100 saves (don't know if that was both leagues combined or just Japan) only meant he was mediocre at everything. I think he was being very humble and everyone on this board would disagree with that assessment. From ages 35-40, Uehara roasted major league hitters to the tune of a 2.08 ERA and a 9.56 K/BB ratio. He was pretty good at something. |
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Post by Don Caballero on May 22, 2019 20:30:15 GMT -5
My favorite closer of all time and it's not even close. Fools never had a chance against that splitter and his whole attitude was very metal. Great pitcher, great guy, great Red Sox legend.
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Post by telson13 on May 22, 2019 21:56:45 GMT -5
Koji announce his reitrement this week, and it brought back great memories. Maybe my favorite development from that 2013 team, besides the heart-felt connection to the city, was watching the maestro that Koji was. Ruthless efficiency with a vivacious energy. The most automatic thing about that team was that Koji would come in and the game would end. Then he'd run off the field, high five everything in sight, only to end up getting bear hugged and carried off the field by Big Papi. He was the closest thing the Red Sox have ever had to Rivera. His entrance at Fenway to "Sandstorm" came to rival Rivera's "Enter Sandman". He was just a lot of fun to root for and someone who I will always look back on and smile. Cheers Koji!! Fangraphs has an article about Koji's career and it's very interesting to read about his early Japan years. blogs.fangraphs.com/koji-uehara-hangs-it-up/Came to post that. Easily in my top-5 favorite Sox of all-time. His brutal efficiency with barely even fringy velocity was a true joy to watch, as was his boundless enthusiasm and incredibly positive attitude. He MADE that 2013 team. I doubt I’ll ever see another pitcher like him, or another person like him on the diamond. We lucked out, ladies and gentlemen, when we got to see what was *truly* a season for the ages, both statistically and stylistically. |
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Post by patford on May 23, 2019 15:17:25 GMT -5
I hope he walked off the field on last time and gave everyone a high-five. Who's the guy at the end of the bench he almost slaps in the face ? Valazquez ? |
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Post by James Dunne on May 23, 2019 15:18:21 GMT -5
Looks like Victorino.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on May 23, 2019 15:23:59 GMT -5
Yeah, it's definitely Shane Victorino. |
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Post by Oregon Norm on May 23, 2019 16:16:58 GMT -5
Yeah, it's definitely Shane Victorino. ...protecting himself. |
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radiohix
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Post by radiohix on May 23, 2019 17:24:52 GMT -5
I got to say 2019 hasn't been kind to my baseball fandom: 3 of my favorites have already retired. It started with Beltre then Ichiro and now Koji  |
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Post by patford on May 23, 2019 18:33:18 GMT -5
When he entered a game I was always completely calm. There was no doubt in my mind it was over. Like Larry Bird at the free throw line .
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radiohix
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'At the end of the day, we bang. We bang. We're going to swing.' Alex Verdugo
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Post by radiohix on May 23, 2019 20:38:36 GMT -5
Anyone remembers this? lol
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