knightni Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 30. Tadahito Iguchi (6 of 27 lists - 72 points - highest ranking #4 Milkman delivers) bio by knightni - What's not to love about Gooch? The guy gave everything he could out there on the field for the Sox. I remember when he signed, it was like a new door opened to the Sox. Suddenly, we were noticed by another country. Even more than we were when Takatsu signed. A whole new fan base for the Sox. This was "our Ichiro". Of course, we knew that Iguchi wasn't the same type of player as Ichiro, but he was the last piece of what would be the World Championship puzzle. Kenny Williams signed him only after watching just videos of Gooch playing in Japan. That HR in the '05 ALDS vs. Boston was the proverbial nail in the coffin of the Sawks and ESPN. He ended up being the first everyday Japanese player to play on a World Series-winning team. He's one of the big reasons that they won it all in 2005. Gooch was, and is, a truly special player in Sox history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Very good synopsis, Jeremy. You have to love the Gooch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Old pic I had on my Photbucket from '05; I loved his bat flip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxbrian Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Thanks Tadahito! You could really never hate the guy, either. Always hustled, and then 2005 was just incredible. IIRC, he didn't have a very good WS but hitting that HR in game 2 of the ALDS was symbolic of our season- anytime, any inning, any player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Gooch was, and is, a truly special player in Sox history. Well said. Cheers to Iguchi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 IMO Gooch was the most versatile player on the 05 squad. On offense, there was nothing he couldn't do well to extremely well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Iguchi never turned into the fan favorite for me. I liked him, but he was never one of my favorites. The HR vs the BoSox was huge, but I think the 2 defining moments for me was the Grand Slam against the Cubs after the Barrett/Pierzynski incident, and the play photographed above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Two words is all I need to describe Tadahito. Consumate professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 QUOTE (YASNY @ Aug 15, 2008 -> 06:12 AM) Two words is all I need to describe Tadahito. Consumate professional. I have 2 other ones. "OH NO!" - Chris Berman, after the error in the 5th inning of game 2 against the Red Sox in the 05 ALCS, right before Iguchi hit the GW 3 run bomb in the "Don't stop believin'" inning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 I'm honored to have voted the highest for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 He always gave it his all and had that knack for the opposite field big hit. Plus who can ever forget that fantastic play he made when he was dang near vertical and threw out the runner at first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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