By ,
Published January 08, 2015
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese pitcher Ken Takahashi wants to prove his sojourn in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets was not a mistake.
The 40-year-old became the oldest Japanese MLB debutant in May before being released by the New York Mets in October. He has rejoined Japan's Hiroshima Carp for a salary of around $275,000 plus performance-linked bonus incentives.
"I want to help the Carp win," Takahashi told reporters at his formal unveiling at Hiroshima's Mazda Stadium on Tuesday. "I want to be able to say that I wasn't wrong to go to the majors."
Takahashi made 28 relief appearances for the Mets while posting a 2.96 ERA. He had spent his entire professional career with the Carp from 1995 before dipping his toes in the majors.
"I feel like a rookie for the second year running," said Takahashi. "If I'm in the starting rotation I will be looking to get double-digit wins and help the Carp win a championship."
(Reporting by Alastair Himmer. Editing by Peter Rutherford)
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/takahashi-out-to-prove-short-mlb-stint-was-no-mistake