One of the largest Opening Day ovations yesterday was for Uehara, who makes his Oriole debut tomorrow night against Chien-Ming Wang and the New York Yankees.
It would be hyperbole to say that tomorrow night is ‘important’…. Game 2 of a 162 game season, can only carry so much weight… and even less when there are no expectations of contending.
Until Hill and Bergesen join the rotation – there is limited reason for optimism with the Orioles starting-staff.
However, even if you do not consider tomorrow’s outcome important, Uehara getting off to a good start could be significant for the 2009 Orioles.
Major League debut or not… this is a guy with 1400+ professional innings, that was an 8 time Japanese All-Star, and 2 time Japanese Cy Young (Sawamura Award winner).
He understandably has a lot of pride, and I have not been surprised by the poise he has shown.
Him showing right away, that he can team with Guthrie at the top of the rotation as someone that can directly compete against the American League East, is needed for the morale of the team, and the fanbase alike. Even more importantly, him providing some consistent innings is needed to protect the bullpen.
At 34, he is not a long-term answer for the O’s… but his 2009 performance can have lasting long-term effects for the franchise… ie his opinions of Baltimore, the organization… how that impacts the stories of the Japanese press that follows him… potentially how that is perceived by other Japanese and Asian players.
Looking forward to seeing how his season develops, starting tomorrow.
Previous entry about Uehara
http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2009/01/hello-japan.html
Uehara – Turned 34, on April 3rd
2008 – 89.2 IP, 90 hits, 72 k’s, 16 walks
2007 – 62 IP, 47 hits, 66 k’s, 4 walks
2006 – 168.1 IP, 157 hits, 151 k’s, 21 walks
2009 Projected – 23 starts, 10-10, 4.50 ERA, 140 innings, 140 hits, 30 walks
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.