Texas Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish took part in the annual Fan Fest awards banquet on Friday, pledging that his main objective is to help the team win a World Series championship in 2013.
"My focus is to help this team win a World Series. That's all," said Darvish.
Darvish went 16-9 with 221 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA in 29 starts in his rookie season in majors last year after a banner career with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, but those numbers are no longer relevant to the 26-year-old Japanese ace.
"I want to pay attention to the condition of my body, eat appropriately and stick to a rigorous training program. I also want to be healthy year-round," said Darvish, who has decided not to play for Japan at the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Darvish, who was awarded the Rangers Rookie of the Year Award the same day, signed autographs for fans who were chosen in a lottery due to the highly attended event at Arlington Convention Center.
He will begin his second season in the majors with spring training on Feb. 13 in Surprise, Arizona, before Opening Day against the Houston Astros on March 31.