The Pacific League has lost 10-year veteran Seibu Lions all-star Kazuo Matsui, one of its best performers, to the major leagues and the New York Mets. Tuffy Rhodes, having been released by the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, will probably be gone as well, moving to the Yomiuri Giants or another Central League club. At first glance, you may be wondering how the Pa League can cope without two such high-profile players.
Look again.
Superstar second baseman Tadahito Iguchi remains in the fold with the champion Fukuoka Daiei Hawks who also have a quartet of very young and very talented pitchers: Nagisa Arakaki, Hayato Terahara, Tsuyoshi Wada and Japan Series MVP Toshiya Sugiuchi, plus that awesome buzzsaw batting attack.