is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He played for the
Hiroshima Toyo Carp in – and the
New York Mets in . He returned to the Carp in 2010.
Takahashi was born in
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. On February 6, 2009, Takahashi declared himself a
free agent and expressed his desire to play in Major League Baseball. He later signed a minor league contract with an invitation to
spring training
Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...
with the
Toronto Blue Jays.
Takahashi signed a minor league contract with the
New York Mets on March 30, 2009, and was called up to the Major Leagues on April 26.
He made his MLB debut on May 2, coming into the game in the middle of the third inning to replace
Ă“liver PĂ©rez. Takahashi became only the third player in the post-
World War II era to make his MLB debut at age 40 or older, joining
Satchel Paige (42 for the
Cleveland Indians in ) and
Diomedes Olivo (41 for the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
in ).
Takahashi was released by the Mets on October 20, 2009.
References
External links
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1969 births
Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
Hiroshima Toyo Carp players
Japanese baseball coaches
Japanese baseball players
Japanese expatriate baseball players in the United States
Living people
Major League Baseball players from Japan
New York Mets players
Nippon Professional Baseball coaches
Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers
Baseball people from Yokohama
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