Yu Darvish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yu Darvish |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Darvish with the San Diego Padres in 2022
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| San Diego Padres – No. 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pitcher | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born: August 16, 1986 Habikino, Osaka, Japan |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional debut | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NPB: June 15, 2005, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLB: April 9, 2012, for the Texas Rangers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NPB statistics (through 2011 season) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 93–38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 1.99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 1,250 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 110–88 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 3.58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 2,007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medals
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Farid Yu Darvish Sefat (ダルビッシュ 有), known as Yu Darvish, is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He plays for the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining MLB, Darvish played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan.
Many thought he was the best pitcher in Japan before he came to MLB in 2012. In his first MLB season, Darvish finished third for the Rookie of the Year award. The next year, he led MLB in strikeouts with 277. He also finished fourth in the American League (AL) with a 2.83 earned run average (ERA).
In April 2014, Darvish reached 500 strikeouts faster than any other starting pitcher in MLB history. He pitched in the 2017 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers. His performance there was later linked to the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal, where the Astros were found to have cheated. Darvish was named an All-Star for the Padres in 2021. He holds the record for the most strikeouts by a Japanese-born pitcher in MLB history. He was also the first Japanese pitcher to reach 2,000 MLB strikeouts.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Yu Darvish was born in Habikino, Osaka, Japan. His mother, Ikuyo, is Japanese, and his father, Farsad Darvish Sefat, is Iranian. His father played soccer in college in the United States.
Darvish started playing baseball when he was in second grade. He led his team, the Habikino Boys, to the national tournament quarterfinals. They also finished third in an international tournament. Many high schools wanted him to play for them. He chose to attend Tohoku High School, a famous baseball school in Sendai.
High School Baseball Career
Darvish became the main pitcher for Tohoku High in his first year. He led his team to four national tournaments at Koshien Stadium. These included two spring tournaments and two summer championships.
In 2003, Darvish led his team to the finals of the 85th National High School Baseball Championship. His team lost, but he pitched the whole game.
He became famous on March 26, 2004, when he pitched a no-hitter in a tournament game. This means no opposing player got a hit. His team lost in the quarter-finals despite his great pitching. In his high school career, Darvish had a 1.10 ERA and struck out 375 batters.
Joining a Professional Team
Even in junior high, MLB teams like the Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves were interested in Darvish. As he finished high school, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets also wanted to sign him. However, Darvish wanted to play for a Japanese professional team first.
The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters chose Darvish in the 2004 NPB draft. He signed a contract with a good salary and bonuses.
Professional Baseball Career
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2005–2011)
Starting His Pro Career
Darvish started his professional career in 2005. He made his debut on June 15 against the Carp. He pitched well and earned his first win. He became one of the few pitchers to win their first pro game straight out of high school.
He also pitched his first complete game win and his first complete game shutout that season. A shutout means the other team scores no runs. He finished 2005 with a 5–5 record.
Becoming a Star (2006–2007)
In 2006, Darvish had a great year, with a 12–5 record and a 2.89 ERA. He helped the Fighters win their first Pacific League title since 1981. They also won their first championship since 1961 in the 2006 Japan Series. Darvish, at 20, was the youngest pitcher to win a Japan Series game in a long time. He also won the Asia Series Most Valuable Player award.
In 2007, Darvish was the Fighters' opening day pitcher. He struck out 14 batters in two different games. He finished the year with a 15–5 record and a 1.82 ERA. He led the league with 210 strikeouts. He helped the Fighters win their second league title in a row.
Darvish pitched in the 2007 Japan Series again. He struck out 13 batters in one game. He won his first Eiji Sawamura Award, given to the best pitcher in Japan. He also won the Most Valuable Player award. Darvish joined the Japanese national team for the 2007 Asian Baseball Championship. He chose to keep his Japanese citizenship to play in the Olympics. He became the youngest player in Japanese baseball history to earn 200 million JPY (Japanese Yen).
Continued Success in Japan (2008–2011)
In 2008, Darvish pitched a complete game shutout on opening day. He had a 16–4 record, a 1.88 ERA, and 208 strikeouts. He was one of the best pitchers in the league. He also played in the 2008 Summer Olympics for Japan.
In 2009, Darvish started the Fighters' opening game for the third year. He had some minor injuries during the season. He still won his second Most Valuable Player award. He became one of only three players to win two MVP awards in their first five years in NPB.
His 2010 season was strong, even though his team struggled. He had a 12–8 record with a 1.78 ERA. He led the league in complete games and strikeouts. There was much talk about him possibly moving to Major League Baseball. However, he decided to stay with the Fighters for 2011.
In 2011, Darvish signed a contract that made him the highest-paid player in Japan. The season was delayed due to the Tohoku earthquake. Darvish felt it was important to help with relief efforts. He donated 50 million JPY (about $620,000 USD) to the Japanese Red Cross. He had a fantastic season, winning 18 games with a career-low 1.44 ERA. He also led the league in starts, innings pitched, and strikeouts.
Texas Rangers (2012–2017)
Moving to MLB (2012)
.jpg)
Before the 2012 season, Darvish was "posted" to Major League Baseball. This means MLB teams could bid for the right to negotiate with him. The Texas Rangers won the bid with $51.7 million. On January 18, 2012, Darvish signed a six-year, $60 million contract with the Rangers.
.jpg)
Darvish made his MLB debut on April 9 against the Seattle Mariners. He earned his first MLB win. He received a standing ovation from the fans. On April 24, he pitched 8.1 shutout innings against the New York Yankees, striking out 10. For his great performance in April, Darvish was named the AL Rookie of the Month. In July, he was chosen for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.
Almost a Perfect Game (2013)
On April 2, 2013, Darvish pitched an amazing game against the Houston Astros. He pitched a perfect game for 8.2 innings. This means no opposing player reached base. With only one out left, he gave up a single hit, ending his perfect game. He struck out 14 batters and walked none.
By Memorial Day, Darvish had already reached 100 strikeouts. He finished the season with 277 strikeouts in 209.2 innings. He also had a 2.83 ERA, which was fourth best in the American League. He finished second in the voting for the Cy Young Award, given to the best pitcher.
More Milestones (2014)
In his first start of the 2014 season, Darvish reached his 500th career strikeout. He did this faster than any other pitcher in MLB history. On June 11, he pitched his first complete-game shutout in MLB. He was also selected for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.
Injury and Recovery (2015–2016)
In 2015, Darvish had to miss the entire season. He had a torn ligament in his right elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. He worked hard to recover and returned to pitching in May 2016. On August 24, 2016, he hit his first career MLB home run.
Trade to the Dodgers (2017)
During the 2017 season, there were many rumors about Darvish being traded. On July 31, 2017, the Rangers traded Darvish to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had a 4–3 record with a 3.44 ERA in nine starts for the Dodgers. Overall in 2017, he had 10 wins and 12 losses with a 3.86 ERA.
In the postseason, he pitched well in the 2017 NLDS and 2017 NLCS. However, in the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros, he struggled in his two starts. He lost both games and allowed many runs. Later, it was revealed that the Astros had cheated by stealing signs during the 2017 season. Darvish chose not to blame the sign-stealing for his performance.
.jpg)
Chicago Cubs (2018–2020)
Joining the Cubs (2018)
_(cropped).jpg)
On February 13, 2018, Darvish signed a six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. He played his first game with the Cubs on March 31, 2018. He faced some injuries during the 2018 season, including elbow and triceps issues. He only pitched in 8 games that year.
Back on Track (2019–2020)
In 2019, Darvish had a better season. He finished with 6 wins and 8 losses, a 3.98 ERA, and 225 strikeouts in 31 starts.
The 2020 season was shorter due to the global pandemic. Darvish had an excellent year, finishing second in the National League Cy Young vote. He had 8 wins and 3 losses with a fantastic 2.01 ERA. He led the National League in wins.
San Diego Padres (2021–present)
New Team, New Success (2021)
On December 29, 2020, Darvish was traded to the San Diego Padres. In his first year with the Padres in 2021, he had 8 wins and 11 losses with a 4.22 ERA and 199 strikeouts. He was also named to his fifth MLB All-Star team.
Reaching 3,000 Strikeouts (2022)
On September 2, 2022, Darvish recorded his 3,000th career strikeout. This includes strikeouts from both NPB and MLB. He became only the second Japanese pitcher, after Hideo Nomo, to reach this milestone. In 2022, he had 16 wins and 8 losses with a 3.10 ERA.
Contract Extension and More Records (2023–2024)
On February 9, 2023, Darvish signed a six-year contract extension with the Padres. On August 14, 2023, he passed Hideo Nomo to become the Japanese-born leader in MLB strikeouts. He had an elbow injury that ended his 2023 season early.
Darvish started the 2024 season as the Padres' opening day pitcher. On May 20, he earned his 200th combined career win (MLB and NPB). Only Hiroki Kuroda and Hideo Nomo have more. On September 16, Darvish set an MLB record for consecutive games with multiple strikeouts. On September 22, he became the first Japanese-born pitcher to reach 2,000 strikeouts in MLB.
In the 2024 playoffs, Darvish won Game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched well in Game 5, but the Padres lost the series.
International Baseball Career
Playing for Japan in the Olympics (2008)
Darvish was the main pitcher for the Japanese national team in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He pitched in Japan's first game against Cuba. He also pitched against the United States. He finished the tournament with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.
World Baseball Classic Champion (2009)
Darvish pitched for Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He started the opening game against China, helping Japan win. He also pitched in the semi-finals against the United States, earning his first career save.
In the championship game against South Korea, Darvish came in to pitch in the ninth inning. He gave up a tying hit, but Japan scored more runs in the tenth inning. Darvish then finished the game, helping Japan win its second World Baseball Classic title in a row. He recorded a career-high pitch speed of 99 mph during the tournament.
Another World Baseball Classic Title (2023)
Darvish was also part of Japan's team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Japan won the tournament, giving Darvish his second World Baseball Classic gold medal.
Pitching Style
.jpg)
Yu Darvish is a right-handed pitcher. He is tall, standing 6 feet 5 inches. He throws a four-seam fastball that can reach 99 mph. He also throws a hard slurve (a type of slider) that breaks sharply.
He uses many other pitches too. These include a two-seam fastball, a cutter, two different curveballs, a splitter, and a changeup. He has a "fast curve" and a "slow curve." Some experts believe Darvish has one of the best collections of pitches in MLB. In 2019, he learned a knuckle curve pitch.
Darvish often changes the order of his pitches, which makes it hard for hitters to guess what's coming. He sometimes uses a new pitch in a game to see how it works.
Before 2006, his main pitch was a screwball. But he stopped using it because it put too much strain on his shoulder. He then worked on developing his splitter. In 2020, he even learned a new "supreme pitch," which is a mix of a splitter and a two-seam fastball.
Personal Life
.jpg)
Yu Darvish was married to Japanese model and actress Saeko. They had two sons. Their divorce was finalized in 2012. In 2015, Darvish and his girlfriend, former world-champion wrestler Seiko Yamamoto, had a son.
Darvish has a history of giving back. At age 10, he donated his allowance after an earthquake in his father's home country of Iran. In 2007, he created the "Yu Darvish Water Fund." This fund helps build and maintain water facilities in developing countries. He donates 100,000 JPY for each regular season win he gets.
Darvish is also involved in advertising. He has appeared in ads for companies like Seiko and Asahi Breweries. He has also been featured on the covers of Japanese men's fashion magazines. He is sponsored by the sportswear company Asics.
See also
In Spanish: Yu Darvish para niños
- List of Major League Baseball players from Japan
- List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
- List of World Series starting pitchers
