Former New York Yankee pitcher Hideki Irabu was found dead on Wednesday. His body was reportedly found by his friend. He was 42 years old.
It appears that Irabu committed suicide by hanging himself, law enforcement sources told TMZ.
The Ex-Japanese baseball joined the Yankees in 1997 after nine seasons in Japan.
He was sold to the San Diego Padres in 1997 but refused to play for the Padres and was traded to the Yankees, the only American team that Irabu said he would play for.
Irabu grabbed World Series rings with the Yankees in two consecutive years, 1998 and 1999. However, his under-performance stirred the anger of team owner George Steinbrenner who famously called Irabu a "fat toad."
He was traded to Montreal for Jake Westrbook in 2000. Then, Irabu returned to Japan play for the Hanshin Tigers in 2003. In 2009, he also pitched in the the Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League in 2009.
He had two children with his wife. They lived in Los Angeles area and ran a Japanese restaurant.
He recorded 34 wins and 35 losses with 16 saves in the major leagues, with a 5.15 ERA.
Irabu's former agent Don Nomura paid tribute to the player.
"Hideki Irabu was a fighter," he said on his Twitter feed. "He made the real history between United States and Japan."
New York Yankees new starting pitcher Hideki Irabu from Japan, is seen here in a triple exposure as he throws during the fifth inning of his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers at New York's Yankee Stadium, July 10. Irabu spent the last month pitching in the Yankees' minor league system, making six starts before joining the Yankees. Irabu went six and 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out nine and walking four.ReutersNew York Yankees starting pitcher Hideki Irabu throws against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of their game at New York's Yankee Stadium, August 4. Irabu entered the game with a record of eight wins and three losses and an earned run average of 3.89.ReutersJapanese pitcher Hideki Irabu, who never reached the lofty expectations the Yankees had for him, was traded by New York to the Expos Dec. 22 for minor league pitcher Jake Westbrook and two players to be named. Irabu, shown in action as he picked up his sixth victory, was 11-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 1999.ReutersMontreal Expos' starting pitcher Hideki Irabu delivers a pitch during the first inning of action against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Montreal, April 4. Irabu is making his first appearance as an Expo since being acquired from the New York Yankees in the off-season.ReutersMontreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu unloads a first inning pitch against the New York Mets during their spring training game in Port St. Lucie, Florida March 18, 2001.ReutersMontreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu pitches against New York Yankees batter Bernie Williams in the first inning June 13, 2001 at Yankee Stadium. This was the first career start for Irabu against his former team.ReutersTexas Rangers pitcher Hideki Irabu of Japan throws against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of their spring training game March 7, 2002 at Grant Field in Dunedin, Florida. Irabu, 32, is listed as a non-roster invitee, missing most of last season with Montreal because of injuries.Reuters
