TOKYO (AP) — All-Star catcher Yadier Molina hopes to throw out some speedy runners. Don Mattingly looks forward to seeing Japan’s national
team.Mattingly and Molina are in Japan as part of a Major League Baseball
All-Star tour that features six games against Japan.The series begins on Friday
with three games on consecutive nights at Tokyo Dome followed by one game in
Hiroshima on Nov. 13 and two games in Nagoya on Nov. 14 and 15.Mattingly was a
coach with the New York Yankees when Hideki Matsui played there
Ernie Banks Jersey , and got to know Ichiro Suzuki with the Miami Marlins.But this will be his first experience managing against a Japanese
team.“I’ve been able to work with Hideki in New York and had Ichiro in Miami,”
Mattingly said Wednesday. “The culture and the love for baseball is something
that is fun to watch, the work ethic of the Japanese players and the
fundamentals seem so solid.”In addition to St. Louis Cardinals’ catcher Molina,
the MLB squad includes three other 2018 All-Stars; Seattle Mariners outfielder
Mitch Haniger
http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-ryne-sandberg-jersey , Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, and infielder Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati
Reds.Molina, who won a ninth Gold Glove award this season, is one of three
catchers on the tour along with Realmuto and Robinson Chirinos of the Texas
Rangers.The two leading contenders for 2018 National League Rookie of the Year
are also part of the tour— Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals and Ronald
Acuna Jr.
Billy Williams Jersey , of the Atlanta Braves.MLB will return to Japan next spring with a two-game opening series between the Oakland Athletics and
Seattle Mariners at Tokyo Dome, marking the fifth time MLB has opened a season
in Tokyo and first since 2012, when the A’s and Mariners also played.Mattingly
was previously in Japan in 2004 when the Yankees opened the season against Tampa
Bay in Tokyo.Matsui, who started his professional career at Tokyo Dome with the
Yomiuri Giants
http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-jon-lester-jersey , will serve as a first base coach for the MLB All-Stars.“It’s great to be back in
Japan with this Yankees uniform on,” Matsui said. “I’ve never been a first base
coach before so I’m a bit anxious. I’ll try not to hurt the team.”Pitchers will
not be allowed to throw more than 80 pitches per game. If a pitcher throws more
than 50 pitches, he must have four days of rest before being able to throw in
another game. Tom Szczerbowski/Getty ImagesCharlie Montoyo will be tasked with
bringing the Toronto Blue Jays back to prominence in the American League East.
Toronto announced Montoyo would be the team's new manager on Thursday.Shi Davidi
of Sportsnet.ca first reported the news. The Blue Jays announced on Sept. 26
that John Gibbons wouldn't be returning as manager in 2019. The 56-year-old led
the team to the American League Championship Series in 2015 and 2016. He had a
793-701 in two stints over 11 seasons with Toronto.Montoyo, 53
Fergie Jenkins Jersey , has been working on the Tampa Bay Rays' coaching staff since 2015. He served as a bench coach under manager Kevin Cash last
season.Prior to working with the Rays at the Major League Baseball level,
Montoyo spent eight years managing the team's Triple-A affiliate. He led the
Durham Bulls to 633 wins and two International League titles in 2009 and
2013.The Blue Jays' 73-89 record last season was their worst since 2012. They
have finished fourth in the American League East in each of the past two
years.
