Rangers ink Yu Darvish
YU DARVISH, Japan's best pitcher, and the Texas Rangers agreed before yesterday's deadline to a $60 million, 6-year contract. In addition to the salary, the Rangers will pay a posting fee of about $51.7 million to the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League.
YU DARVISH, Japan's best pitcher, and the Texas Rangers agreed before yesterday's deadline to a $60 million, 6-year contract.
In addition to the salary, the Rangers will pay a posting fee of about $51.7 million to the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League.
The deal came at the end of a 30-day negotiating window that began Dec. 19 when the Rangers' bid to negotiate with the pitcher was accepted.
Darvish, 25, had a 93-38 record with a 1.99 ERA over the past seven seasons in Japan. The 6-5 righthander was a two-time Pacific League MVP and a five-time All-Star. He led the league in strikeouts three times, in ERA twice and won two Gold Gloves.
In other baseball news:
* Marty Springstead, who at the age of 36 in 1973 became the youngest umpire crew chief in World Series history, has died. He was 74. Major League Baseball said Springstead was found dead at his home in Florida on Tuesday night.
Soccer *
A man was shot and killed in a restaurant of the hotel hosting the U.S. women's soccer team during the Olympic qualifying tournament. U.S. Soccer Federation spokesman Neil Buethe said the American delegation was safe and none of its members witnessed the shooting.
* David Beckham signed a 2-year contract to remain with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Philly File *
Five players were honored at the Philadelphia Small College Coaches Association luncheon at University of the Sciences: Michael Donatoni, Eastern; Ian Goldberg, Haverford; Rafeeq Bush, Philadelphia Community; Dan Delconte, Gwynedd-Mercy; and Cory Lemons, Cabrini, which is nationally ranked in Division III.