Yoshida defying odds with success in MLB

TOKYO — It’s not easy to go to a foreign country and play baseball. In the past, highly touted MLB players have come to Japan and struggled, unable to adapt to the Japanese strike zone, breaking ball pitching, harder practice regimens, travel, food, language and customs. There were numerous colossal failures, like Kevin Mitchell, Mike Greenwell and Joe Pepitone.

Of course there were also successes. Wally Yonamine, Leron and Leon Lee, Warren Cromartie, Tuffy Rhodes, Alex Ramirez and Randy Bass were all able to make the physical and mental adjustments necessary to succeed. But overall the majority of gaijin imports, hundred upon hundreds, since 1950 when the present two-league system was established, were not invited back for a second year. It took a special type to adjust.