greasywheels121 Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 'Mr. Zero' White Sox' newest hero BY JAY MARIOTTI SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Advertisement The bullpen door swung open, and there he was, Ricky (Wild Thing) Vaughn. Or so it seemed in the eighth inning Saturday, when White Sox fans stood and screamed like banshees as the scoreboard burst into a funky kaleidoscope that flashed "MR. ZERO! MR. ZERO!'' We've seen gaudy introductions for Mariano Rivera, Eric Gagne, Trevor Hoffman and all the rip-roaring closers. Now Shingo Takatsu has his own grand opening. "I played here for a long time, and I know what kind of fans we have,'' Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "And I don't remember anyone getting so excited when someone comes into a game.'' Of all things, say hello to a Japanese cult hero on the South Side of Chicago. Before long, he'll be bellying up for a beer at Jimbo's and ordering the meatball sandwich at Connie's. What appeared to be another speculative Sox whim, signing the all-time saves leader from the Japanese leagues, has spun into one of the most intriguing stories in baseball. Might this 35-year-old man who wanted one shot in America, at the highest level, wind up saving not only tight ballgames but the Sox' season? The facts can't be ignored. After retiring all four Cubs he faced to cap a 6-3 victory Saturday at The Cell, Takatsu now has thrown 251/3 consecutive scoreless innings in his last 23 appearances. He is blurring batters with sidearmed, offspeed junk, with velocity that ranges from an 88 mph fastball to a changeup that barely reaches 60 on the radar gun. "You see that movement and sink against right-handers and that killer changeup that almost disappears to lefties,'' said Sox general manager Ken Williams, the man who signed him. The question is whether professional hitters in this country will figure out Takatsu when they see him the second time around. To hear the dazed Cubs, he's the real deal. "I don't see why not,'' manager Dusty Baker said. "He was the saves leader in Japan, and they play good baseball in Japan. Once the league figures him out, it's up to him to figure out the league. But you don't see that kind of speed differential, especially with the arm action he has. He's throwing out arms, legs, gloves and shoes in front of you. It's hard to pick up the ball.'' His deception was in full glory late on this sun-soaked afternoon, when he relieved Damaso Marte with a runner on first and Sammy Sosa at the plate. This was the type of situation he fantasized about when he signed a bargain-basement $1 million deal last winter, then described Chicago as "my Field of Dreams.'' Sosa's legend might be bigger in Japan than it is in the United States, with Takatsu saying through his interpreter, "He is the most famous baseball player in the world.'' But if he was nervous, he's a great actor, inducing Sosa to ground out to end the brief threat. Suddenly, the Sox might have an answer for the riddle created by Billy Koch, who flopped as the closer and was traded to the Florida Marlins. They call him "Mr. Zero'' because he didn't allow a run in 10 championship series games with the Yakult Swallows. And while offenses are more potent in this land, poise translates anywhere. "You can tell by the way he carries himself that he's been in situations like today a lot,'' said Paul Konerko, whose three-run home run against jittery Carlos Zambrano provided an early cushion for surprise winner Felix Diaz. "You can tell he has ice water in his veins. The big leagues is the best baseball there is, but he does have a lot of saves. [Kaz] Sasaki has been successful as a closer here. These guys are proven.'' With long, thin sideburns and a shag haircut, Takatsu looks like one of the Beatles. He doesn't know much English, and the lengthier answers he provides in Japanese are whittled down to short sound bites by his interpreter. A postgame news gathering was uneventful, though Takatsu smiled pleasantly throughout. Is he surprised by his success? "Right now, he's trying his best. He doesn't have time to analyze himself.'' Did he like the scoreboard presentation for him? "The White Sox' marketing people reached him about it. He was looking forward to it. It seems the fans enjoyed that a lot. It was great.'' How about the fans? "It's really exciting for him to enjoy the moment. Fortunately, he got the outs.'' How would he feel about making the All-Star team? "He doesn't really think about that. Right now, he's trying to focus on the games.'' What does he think of skepticism that hitters will figure him out later this season? "He says he has been pitching like this his whole career. That's his style. He knows many people say that, and he's just trying to get guys out.'' Give the Sox their props for identifying Takatsu as a potential closer and outfoxing other teams to get him. Last Jan. 14, scouts from 24 major-league ballclubs attended a special workout in Southern California. The Sox, usually losers in those situations, did the best sales job. They offered him $750,000 this season and either a $2.5 million club option or a $250,000 buyout next season -- a sizable pay cut from what he would have commanded from the Swallows. But what enticed him was a chance to become the closer and his appreciation of Chicago, where his wife, Maki, once studied. Little did he know he would become the new Sox idol. He was cool as can be on a day when the emotional Zambrano became preoccupied with keeping Timo Perez on first base -- throwing over there once, twice, three times, four times, five -- and subsequently was lit up by a homer by Joe Crede. The Cubs, like so many other teams, were left muttering to themselves as they tried to decipher Takatsu's stuff. "They say things like, 'What the heck was that pitch?''' Sox catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. said. "I just basically say, 'Changeup,' and they laugh. When Sammy was hitting, [Aramis] Ramirez was standing real close and watching and giving funny looks. They get surprised by the difference in speeds. They kind of seem like eephus pitches.'' We'll find out soon enough whether Shingomania is a fad or a long-term solution. But at the moment, Mr. Zero carries the same meaning in any culture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABearSoX Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 I love marriotti!! his best quote ever is "White Sox fans are better then cubs fans" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 I love marriotti!! his best quote ever is "White Sox fans are better then cubs fans" Is a good quote but marriotti is complete dumbass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 I love marriotti!! his best quote ever is "White Sox fans are better then cubs fans" Will always HATE Moronatti but very good quote. But of course the :dips*** keeps going back and forth in his columns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 Jay's my boy. Club option for next year at $2.5 million. I like the sound of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obstacle 1 Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 Will always HATE Moronatti but very good quote. But of course the :dips*** keeps going back and forth in his columns. jay's job isn't to pick sides, moron. it's to report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 jay's job isn't to pick sides, moron. it's to report. He is not a reporter, he is a COLUMNIST, there is a big difference. He can write whatever his opinion is, he's not a news reporter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 Will always HATE Moronatti but very good quote. But of course the :dips*** keeps going back and forth in his columns. Mariotti is the ultimate fair weather fan. Depending on who is winning or not is where his loyalty lies so he can go f*** himself. :fyou Mariotti!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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