New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka received his Japan Series championship ring on Saturday at Yankee Stadium from Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles owner Hiroshi Mikitani.
"That sensation of becoming No. 1 in Japan came back along with it (the ring)," said Tanaka, who went 24-0 last year in the regular season and has followed that with a 2-1 record with two saves in the postseason.
"I didn't think it would be possible to get it until the end of the season. I was extremely happy and I am filled with gratitude."
Tanaka is 3-0 this season in four starts with the Yankees, who signed him to a $155 million, seven-year deal after Mikitani reluctantly agreed to part with the record-setting right-hander for the paltry $20 million fee that is the new limit for posted players.
"He just keeps getting stronger," Mikitani said of his former ace. "He is putting in the effort needed to become an ace-caliber pitcher here, as well. Rakuten is proud of him."