Kazuhiro Sasaki

Kazuhiro Sasaki woke up in Japan and found out he had become the second-oldest rookie of the year in baseball history. "I did not think I was going to receive this award because I did play in Japan for 10 years," the Seattle Mariners reliever said after winning the American League award, overwhelmingly defeating outfielders Terrence Long of Oakland and Mark Quinn of Kansas City in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Kazuhiro Sasaki choked back tears when he stopped by the Seattle Mariner clubhouse and said goodbye to Edgar Martinez, Bret Boone and other former teammates. Sasaki signed papers Tuesday to terminate his contract, leaving behind a guaranteed $8.5 million next season because he wants to remain in Japan with his wife and two young children. "I'm not really sure what people are thinking, but most importantly my children are very happy," Sasaki said through an interpreter.

Paul Abbott pitched like a playoff veteran and Seattle's bullpen was unhittable. That's why the road-tough Mariners are headed home with a 2-0 lead over the Chicago White Sox in their division series. Abbott, who started the season in the bullpen, gave up just five hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings to win in his first postseason appearance in a pro career that began in 1985. Seattle's bullpen took over as Arthur Rhodes, Jose Mesa and Kazuhiro Sasaki did not allow a hit the rest of the way.

Seattle closer Kazuhiro Sasaki told the Mariners on Monday he will not pitch for the team in 2004, deciding to forfeit the final year of his contract and remain with his family in Japan. The Mariners' career saves leader, who turns 36 on Feb. 22, would walk away from as much as $9.5 million by not playing for Seattle next season. "It's a personal situation," agent Tony Attanasio said. "He wanted to stay home with his kids."

Kazuhiro Sasaki couldn't quite get excited about the All-Star game, because this was a rare occasion when he didn't feel like one. Seattle's star closer yielded only his second and third earned runs this season Sunday, and the Colorado Rockies rallied in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Mariners, 4-3, at Seattle.

Kazuhiro Sasaki choked back tears when he stopped by the Seattle Mariner clubhouse and said goodbye to Edgar Martinez, Bret Boone and other former teammates. Sasaki signed papers Tuesday to terminate his contract, leaving behind a guaranteed $8.5 million next season because he wants to remain in Japan with his wife and two young children. "I'm not really sure what people are thinking, but most importantly my children are very happy," Sasaki said through an interpreter.

Kazuhiro Sasaki knew he was taking a gamble when he decided to pitch in the major leagues at 32. Japan's career saves leader wasn't sure he would be the same pitcher for the Seattle Mariners that he was for Yokohama in the Central League. "I just wanted to do the best I could," he said. "And that's what's happened." Sasaki's best has been good enough.

Seattle closer Kazuhiro Sasaki told the Mariners on Monday he will not pitch for the team in 2004, deciding to forfeit the final year of his contract and remain with his family in Japan. The Mariners' career saves leader, who turns 36 on Feb. 22, would walk away from as much as $9.5 million by not playing for Seattle next season. "It's a personal situation," agent Tony Attanasio said. "He wanted to stay home with his kids."

It was the dirty half-dozen, six pitches that derailed the New York Yankees' express train to the World Series and put the wayward Seattle Mariners back on track. Yankee reliever Jeff Nelson faced three batters in the fifth inning Sunday, throwing the ball to the plate a mere six times. It's hard to imagine someone doing more damage in less time.

The Angels could open the 2004 season in Japan, against Japanese hero Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners. "We're trying to arrange for the season to open in Japan next year," Major League Baseball President Bob DuPuy said Saturday. "It's our goal to get it done." The Mariners and Oakland Athletics were scheduled to open the 2003 season in Japan, a series canceled by Commissioner Bud Selig amid international tension on the eve of war against Iraq.

Kazuhiro Sasaki couldn't quite get excited about the All-Star game, because this was a rare occasion when he didn't feel like one. Seattle's star closer yielded only his second and third earned runs this season Sunday, and the Colorado Rockies rallied in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Mariners, 4-3, at Seattle.

Kazuhiro Sasaki woke up in Japan and found out he had become the second-oldest rookie of the year in baseball history. "I did not think I was going to receive this award because I did play in Japan for 10 years," the Seattle Mariners reliever said after winning the American League award, overwhelmingly defeating outfielders Terrence Long of Oakland and Mark Quinn of Kansas City in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

It was the dirty half-dozen, six pitches that derailed the New York Yankees' express train to the World Series and put the wayward Seattle Mariners back on track. Yankee reliever Jeff Nelson faced three batters in the fifth inning Sunday, throwing the ball to the plate a mere six times. It's hard to imagine someone doing more damage in less time.

Paul Abbott pitched like a playoff veteran and Seattle's bullpen was unhittable. That's why the road-tough Mariners are headed home with a 2-0 lead over the Chicago White Sox in their division series. Abbott, who started the season in the bullpen, gave up just five hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings to win in his first postseason appearance in a pro career that began in 1985. Seattle's bullpen took over as Arthur Rhodes, Jose Mesa and Kazuhiro Sasaki did not allow a hit the rest of the way.

Kazuhiro Sasaki knew he was taking a gamble when he decided to pitch in the major leagues at 32. Japan's career saves leader wasn't sure he would be the same pitcher for the Seattle Mariners that he was for Yokohama in the Central League. "I just wanted to do the best I could," he said. "And that's what's happened." Sasaki's best has been good enough.

Buck Martinez was hired to be manager of the Toronto Blue Jays after spending the last 14 seasons analyzing the team's performance on television. Martinez, who turns 52 on Nov. 7, played for the Blue Jays from 1981-86 and has been the team's color commentator since 1987. He has no prior managing or coaching experience. * Jeff Moorad, the agent for Manny Ramirez, faxed the Cleveland Indians a contract proposal and said he expects to hear back from the club by Monday.

The Seattle Mariners agreed to pay more than $13 million for the right to talk to a player few have seen play. Starting this weekend, teams will bring out the real big money. As baseball's general managers laid the groundwork for trades and signings at their annual meetings this week, the only major move came Thursday when the Mariners won the bidding rights to Japanese all-star Ichiro Suzuki.