Former Met of the Day: Tsuyoshi Shinjo (2001 / 2003)

Tsuyoshi Shinjo was born January 28, 1972 in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. He was one of the best defensice centerfielders of the 1990's in Japan. Although he didn't hit for power he was a very popular player due to his antics & good natured personality. He dyed his hair, leaped with a hop when he caught a ball, wore flashy clothes & colorful wrist bands.

He left Japan and signed with the Mets for $200,000 in 2001, turning down a $2 million deal in Japan. His signing in NY, no doubt coaxed by Bobby Valentine, surprised alot of people.

He played hard for the Mets, winning over the fans & manager Bobby V. with his hustle & upbeat attitude. Some people criticised his hot dog style, with his fancy wrap around sun glasses & orange wrist bands. But he made the Topps All Star Rookie team hitting .268 with 23 doubles, 10 HRs, & 56 RBIs in 123 games. He made history becoming the first Japanese born player to ever bat clean up in a MLB line up. By the end of the year he was traded to San Francisco with Desi Relaford for pitcher Sean Estes.

He struggled a bit in the Bay Area batting only .238 with 9 HRs 15 doubles & 37 RBIs in 118 games. He made hsitory again, becoming the first Japanese native to play in a World Series. He went 1-6, three Series games for the San Francisco Giants, as they lost to the Angels.

He was released after the Series and signed by the Mets again for 2003. He faded quickly and was done after only 62 games batting .193 with 1 HR & 7 RBIs. He ended his big league career with 202 hits, 41 doubles, 20 HRs, 100 RBIs & a .245 batting average in 303 games.

He went back to play in Japan & had some solid seasons before retiring in 2006. He played on many losing teams in Japan, but in his final season, his Nippon Ham Fighters won the Championship. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he took the field in the last inning, and the team carried him off the field in victory when it was over. Overall in Japan, he won 9 gold gloves & made 3 Best Nine teams.

Currently he is a TV celebrity in Japan, has a coffee drink named for him, runs a line of clothing & won 10 million Yen on the Japan version of "Millionaire".