The Senga File
- Three NPB All-Star selections, 2013, 2017, 2019
- Five Japan Series championships, 2015, 2017-2020
- Led the Pacific League in strikeouts, 2019, 2020
- Led the Pacific League in ERA, 2020
- Led the Pacific League in wins, 2020
- Two Mitsui Golden Glove Awards, 2019, 2020
- Pitched a no-hitter, 2019
- Won the Japanese Triple Crown, 2020
- Won an Olympic Gold medal with Japan, 2020
- Signed a 5-year, $75 million contract with the New York Mets
Kodai Senga: Man of the People
It didn't take long for Kodai Senga to endear himself to New York Mets fans. Of course, choosing the high-spending Mets over cross-town rivals, divisional foes, and titans of the league doesn't hurt, either.
Upon signing with the Mets, Senga had a problem: he did not know what number to choose. His former numbers 21 and 41, were retired for Roberto Clemente and Tom Seaver, respectively. Thus, he surveyed his new fans. He asked whether he should select 34. 40, or 46.
The biggest response was actually 48, the number of Mets legend and recent free agent departure Jacob deGrom. He joked that deGrom's number was off the table.
Senga revealed his shiny new number 34 at his introductory press conference. There, he briefly spoke to the fans in English, something he had to prepare for given it is a language he largely does not speak. His kindness and charisma have not been taken lightly as fans prepare for his MLB career to begin.