The New York Yankees introduced Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka on Tuesday. How Tanaka got to New York from Japan for the press conference was interesting.
Tanaka charted a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Japan Airlines to get to New York. Four friends and family members joined Tanaka, along with his toy poodle, for the flight. The plane cost $195,000 to charter , which Tanaka paid himself so that he could be at his best in training camp, according to Fox Sports. Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said that Tanaka’s news conference was the team’s most attended news conference since 2003 when Hideki Matsui was introduced. Tanaka is excited to be playing for the Yankees.
''I'm very happy to be a Yankee” Tanaka said at the news conference. ''I've heard that this place can be very harsh to you at times,'' he said through a translator. ''I just wanted to put myself in this environment and see where I could get to with my ability.''
Tanaka agreed to a seven-year, $155 million contract with the Yankees on January 22. Last year Tanaka was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA with the Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan, according to the Associated Press. He helped lead the Eagles to the Japan Series title last year.
Pitchers and catchers report to the Yankees training facility in Tampa, Florida on Friday. Workouts will begin over the weekend. It will be interesting to see how Tanaka does in spring training and if he gets a spot in the Yankees rotation.