New York Yankees fans call for Masahiro Tanaka’s return on occasion of his 2,500th career strikeout: "Still never got why Yankees let him go"
New York Yankees alumnus Masahiro Tanaka hit an important career milestone on Friday, notching his 2,500th career strikeout across his professional career in Japan and the U.S.
Tanaka, who pitches for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan Professional Baseball, was a member of the Yankees' rotation from 2014 until 2020.
Congrats to Masahiro Tanaka on 2500 strikeouts across Japan and the US!
(via @t_masahiro18) https://t.co/lJOuyZZE9D
A two-time MLB All-Star, Masahiro Tanaka amassed a 78-46 record, 3.74 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 991 strikeouts over seven years with the New York Yankees before returning to his native land before the 2021 season.
Still just 34 years old, Tanaka is still getting it done in JPB. This season, he is 2-1 with a 1.02 ERA in three starts.
Given the state of the Yankees' pitching staff, many New Yorkers are actively calling for Tanaka's return to the Bronx.
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 He’d look great in pinstripes https://t.co/ent2kehYLz
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 still never got why yankees let him go
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 Should still be a Yankee
Masahiro Tanaka left the New York Yankees to return to Japan after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Among the reported reasons for him leaving the U.S. to return home were concerns about COVID-19 discrimination against Asians and worried for his safety and that of his young child.
It's unknown if Tanaka would return to MLB even if he were to be asked. He is making $3.6 million this season after being paid $6.82 million in each of his previous campaigns for the Golden Eagles.
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 You mean to tell me Schmidt, German, Montas, Sevy all deserve a roster spot over this man??
I miss my guy.
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 Make him a Yankee again!!! We know Rodon is super hurt, we can read between the lines Cashman.
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 We could use him right now
However, NJ.com also reported that Masahiro Tanaka was basically ignored by the New York Yankees after his initial MLB contract ran out following the 2020 season. The media outlet reported Tanaka saying he was surprised that the Yankees hadn't contacted him about a new contract as he spoke to journalists after returning to the Golden Eagles:
"When I became a free agent, honestly I wanted to sign another contract with Yankees and play there. Then, as I heard different things, I thought I might have to take a different road and considered various things."
However, Yankee Nation still seems to have a soft spot in its cold heart for Tanaka.
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 It's always TANAKA TIME!! Much love Masa! ❤️
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 That’s my Japanese superstar
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 Our rotation could use him rn
Perhaps if the Yankees fail in their expected pursuit of Shohei Ohtani this winter, they can bring Tanaka back to the Big Apple instead.
@TalkinYanks @t_masahiro18 2024 reunion in the Bronx 🤷🏻♂️
Masahiro Tanaka sandwiched his time with the New York Yankees in-between stints with the Golden Eagles
Tanaka pitched for the Golden Eagles for eight seasons before his turn with the Yankees, and is now in his third season since. In 17 seasons of professional baseball, Tanaka is 192-103 with a 2.95 ERA and 2,514 strikeouts.