Ex-Yankee Hideki Irabu arrested for alleged assault THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Wednesday, August 20th 2008, 1:21 AM TOKYO - Former Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer, a police official said. Irabu, 39, became angered after his credit card was rejected. He then allegedly pushed the bartender against the wall, pulled his hair and smashed at least nine liquor bottles at a bar in Osaka, western Japan, a police official said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy. The bartender sustained no injuries. Irabu paid the bill with another credit card. The police official said Irabu admitted the assault. Irabu started his career with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan?s Pacific League and joined the New York Yankees in 1997 on a four-year, $12.8 million. He spent six seasons in the majors with the Yankees, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers before signing with Japan?s Hanshin Tigers in 2003. Irabu had a career major league record of 34-35 with a 5.15 ERA. He retired in 2005 and currently lives in California.
In his two full years in NY he went 24-16 and 1-0 in the playoffs with about a 4.4 ERA. He was actually pretty good. Certainly better than what we have seen lately.
I always thought that Irabu sucked, but then the Yankees went and signed Igawa. Nice to see the Fat Toad back in the news though.
