Hideki Irabu Suicide

[thongd4me 69]

Former Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu found dead in Rancho Palos Verdes

July 28, 2011 | 2:45 pm

Hideki Irabu, a star Japanese baseball player who struggled to achieve comparable success in the United States, was found dead Wednesday in his Rancho Palos Verdes home.

Authorities are investigating his death "as an apparent suicide and hanging," said Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's investigations division.

Irabu, 42, was best known in the United States for his stint with the New York Yankees, where he was an inconsistent but key contributor on two championship teams in 1998 and 1999.

His best season was 1998, his second in the American League, when he compiled 13 wins and nine losses for the Yankees and an earned run average of 4.06.

In 173 innings he gave up 148 hits, while striking out 126 batters. The team, managed by future Dodgers Manager Joe Torre, won a then-league record 114 games.

Irabu also posted a winning record, 11-7, on the championship team of the following year. His higher earned run average of 4.84, however, denoted his inconsistency. Irabu came to American baseball via the San Diego Padres, who obtained the rights to his services from a team in the Japan Pacific League. Irabu refused to play for the Padres, forcing a trade to New York.

Three years later, he'd worn out his welcome. At one point, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner belittled Irabu for his girth and perceived lack of hustle, calling him a "fat toad."

The right-hander was listed as 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds.

Because his early career was in Japan, Irabu reached the major leagues at the relatively advanced age of 28, but his career also ended early for a player signed to a big contract as a star-quality contributor.

After three years with the Yankees, he played for the Montreal Expos in the National League and the Texas Rangers in the American League. He was 33 in his final season in 2002. His career record was 34-35.

He was arrested last year in Gardena for alleged drunk driving.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Former Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu found dead in Rancho Palos Verdes

July 28, 2011 | 2:45 pm

Hideki Irabu, a star Japanese baseball player who struggled to achieve comparable success in the United States, was found dead Wednesday in his Rancho Palos Verdes home.

Authorities are investigating his death "as an apparent suicide and hanging," said Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's investigations division.

Irabu, 42, was best known in the United States for his stint with the New York Yankees, where he was an inconsistent but key contributor on two championship teams in 1998 and 1999.

His best season was 1998, his second in the American League, when he compiled 13 wins and nine losses for the Yankees and an earned run average of 4.06.

In 173 innings he gave up 148 hits, while striking out 126 batters. The team, managed by future Dodgers Manager Joe Torre, won a then-league record 114 games.

Irabu also posted a winning record, 11-7, on the championship team of the following year. His higher earned run average of 4.84, however, denoted his inconsistency. Irabu came to American baseball via the San Diego Padres, who obtained the rights to his services from a team in the Japan Pacific League. Irabu refused to play for the Padres, forcing a trade to New York.

Three years later, he'd worn out his welcome. At one point, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner belittled Irabu for his girth and perceived lack of hustle, calling him a "fat toad."

The right-hander was listed as 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds.

Because his early career was in Japan, Irabu reached the major leagues at the relatively advanced age of 28, but his career also ended early for a player signed to a big contract as a star-quality contributor.

After three years with the Yankees, he played for the Montreal Expos in the National League and the Texas Rangers in the American League. He was 33 in his final season in 2002. His career record was 34-35.

He was arrested last year in Gardena for alleged drunk driving.

RIP Mr. Irabu

[thongd4me 69]

Irabu's wife had left him, taking their two young daughters.

My ex-wife is Japanese and she did much the same (didn't kidnap them but

effectively demonized me in their eyes). Right now my ex is refusing to give

my older daughter's email address or telephone to me which I need in

connection with the procedures for initiating my retirement benefit. My

employer wants proof that my daughter went to college during the last

term and according to the registrar, only my daughter can release that

information which she has to do so in person.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

I feel Mr. Irabu's pain but wish he had not taken that action,

which not only robbed him of potential time with his kids but

also robbed his kids of potential time with him in the future.

His kids won't probably see him as a victim but even more

guilty and that is a somewhat bitter victory for his ex.

One of the things that keeps me from thoughts of suicide

is that my ex would be dancing on my grave. She chooses

to live her life as unhappy and unforgiving, regardless

of how those around her try and help.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

My ex-wife is Japanese and she did much the same (didn't kidnap them but

effectively demonized me in their eyes). Right now my ex is refusing to give

my older daughter's email address or telephone to me which I need in

connection with the procedures for initiating my retirement benefit. My

employer wants proof that my daughter went to college during the last

term and according to the registrar, only my daughter can release that

information which she has to do so in person.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

I feel Mr. Irabu's pain but wish he had not taken that action,

which not only robbed him of potential time with his kids but

also robbed his kids of potential time with him in the future.

His kids won't probably see him as a victim but even more

guilty and that is a somewhat bitter victory for his ex.

One of the things that keeps me from thoughts of suicide

is that my ex would be dancing on my grave. She chooses

to live her life as unhappy and unforgiving, regardless

of how those around her try and help.

Wow! I forgot how often a toxic spouse can poison the children and cause all manner of heartache. I just compare your situation with some of the others on VJ and I just shake my head. I hope that your daughter figures it our for herself in time, we're here for you no matter what happens. :thumbs:

[thongd4me 69]

Wow! I forgot how often a toxic spouse can poison the children and cause all manner of heartache. I just compare your situation with some of the others on VJ and I just shake my head. I hope that your daughter figures it our for herself in time, we're here for you no matter what happens. :thumbs:

As of around noontime today, all is well in TD land.

I called my ex and got the usual BS and non-cooperation.

The last time I spoke to her I hung up, so this time she hung up, never one to miss a cue.

Then I started calling the administrative & HR types at the office.

Most of them were away on vacation, this being the summer.

Finally I got the boss of the women who spoke to me in the beginning of the week.

She promised to call my ex and explain it from an official standpoint that I needed

to have the "certificate of attendance" filled in order to start my pension benefit.

I called her an hour after that and she still hadn't called my ex, reason: "A Meeting"

(yeah with everyone on vacation she was having a meeting). I gave her the direct

line to the university registrar's office but she said with typical French efficiency that

she would not be able to call them, only my ex-wife.

Well lah-dee-dah.

Thirty minutes later, the HR lady that I had been talking to in the beginning of the

week called me and said everything had been resolved, because SHE took the

initiative and called the registrar's office. That was a riot considering her BOSS

had just told me that was not possible. It's funny that they were totally uncooperative

with me but when someone "official" calls them they can release the information.

So now the wheels are slowly turning to hopefully initiate my retirement benefit

at the end of August.

Say Hallelujah brothahs and sistas!

(Sorry Hideki for hijacking your topic)

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

As of around noontime today, all is well in TD land.

I called my ex and got the usual BS and non-cooperation.

The last time I spoke to her I hung up, so this time she hung up, never one to miss a cue.

Then I started calling the administrative & HR types at the office.

Most of them were away on vacation, this being the summer.

Finally I got the boss of the women who spoke to me in the beginning of the week.

She promised to call my ex and explain it from an official standpoint that I needed

to have the "certificate of attendance" filled in order to start my pension benefit.

I called her an hour after that and she still hadn't called my ex, reason: "A Meeting"

(yeah with everyone on vacation she was having a meeting). I gave her the direct

line to the university registrar's office but she said with typical French efficiency that

she would not be able to call them, only my ex-wife.

Well lah-dee-dah.

Thirty minutes later, the HR lady that I had been talking to in the beginning of the

week called me and said everything had been resolved, because SHE took the

initiative and called the registrar's office. That was a riot considering her BOSS

had just told me that was not possible. It's funny that they were totally uncooperative

with me but when someone "official" calls them they can release the information.

So now the wheels are slowly turning to hopefully initiate my retirement benefit

at the end of August.

Say Hallelujah brothahs and sistas!

(Sorry Hideki for hijacking your topic)

That makes today a very Good Friday, Indeed!!!!

(I know the song is about love gone wrong but...)

This is a bit more apropos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRgSlIrJQ0

Edited July 29, 2011 by IR5FORMUMSIE

[thongd4me 69]

That makes today a very Good Friday, Indeed!!!!

(I know the song is about love gone wrong but...)

This is a bit more apropos.

I'm familiar with the John Cale tune although I had forgotten his name.

Traffic & Stevie Winwood - one of my favorites.

This also says it all, "GLAD" I love the goofy animation on this one....

And who could forget...