http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines

 

Shingo Takatsu wishes he were still in Chicago. Instead the White Sox's closer in 2004 and part of 2005 is back in Japan with his old team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, pitching mostly middle relief.

 

"It is a little difficult to find my role on the team," he said.

 

Takatsu misses Ozzie Guillen—"I love Ozzie"—and the American strike zone—"It's tighter in Japan."

 

Takatsu converted 19 of 20 save opportunities in 2004 but struggled the next year and was released in July 2005. But the Sox sent him a World Series ring anyway.

 

"I really appreciated that and was honored," he said. Speaking quietly in the Swallows' clubhouse, Takatsu, 37, confided, "I cannot say this in a loud voice, but I would like to come back to Chicago."

 

We've found our solution to Cliff Politte.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines

We've found our solution to Cliff Politte.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't mind IF he were to get his s*** together if we signed him to a minor league deal and had him join his compatriot Hideo down in Charlotte. I don't buy the notion that "the league figured him out." I think his problems are mental, and if he ever were to figure them out, I would love to have him again.

Nomo was released about a month ago.

I always liked Shingo. He won't be back.

Funny he mentions the American strike zone, because he seemed to forget where it was. It wasn't the league cracking Shingo's code at all.

 

Still, Shingomania was a good time in an otherwise disappointing 2004 campaign, and he was such a nice guy who was just happy to be here.

if he got his s*** back together, i would love to see shingo back. and i am glad he got a ring.

2004:

 

2005: (After the Indians game) :puke

I'll miss him. Went to games a couple seasons ago and hearing the Gong play when he came out was just awesome. I would gladly take him over Pollite right now. But Shingo probably won't be back.

Nomo was released about a month ago.

 

Hmm, well, I suppose Shingo would just have to count on meeting up with Tadahito in the City for sushi. They could alternate between Chicago and Arlington Heights.

Hmm, well, I suppose Shingo would just have to count on meeting up with Tadahito in the City for sushi. They could alternate between Chicago and Arlington Heights.

 

Shingo was the main reason Tadahito joined the sox if you didn't remember.

Shingo was the main reason Tadahito joined the sox if you didn't remember.

 

That, and the Mariners/Red Sox balked at the money he was asking for initially.

It really was a shame,

he loved it here, we loved him here, wish it would have worked out.

in a large way, it did work out. If he shows up in Chicago 20 years from now, he'd still have a lot of fans

And Chicago misses Shingo......the 2004 Shingo, at least.

I always liked Shingo. He won't be back.

 

 

Yeah, Shingo was cool. Best wishes to him wherever he goes.

I miss that smile he always gave after getting a save... and the GONG!

Shingo was a reason to cheer in the otherwise injury riddled 2004. I'll always have fond memories of him and wish him well. He didn't even hurt the Sox in 2005.

 

That said, he doesn't need to come back.

 

Shingo can fill Nomo's role in keeping the White Sox organization diverse...And if he can pitch well, why not? If he's dying to come back, bring him back cheap.

I loved shingo in 2004 and still like the guy! Loved the smile after the save. Im very happy that he got a ring.

Best Shingo memory, game 2 of Cubs/Sox at the Cell, 2004. Brought in to get Sammy Sosa for the third out in the 8th.

 

Strike three was a frisbee change-up that Sosa swung through before it even cleared the infield grass.

That was about the sickest shut down I've ever seen.

Shingo was AWESOME! I was SO heartbroken to see him struggle in '05. I knew after that post-ASB Cleveland series he was history when you could see Don Cooper just shaking his head in the dugout while Shingo blew the save.

 

I'd love to see him back but I don't see it happening. Either he lost his stuff or batters figured him out. Then again, maybe pitching that tight strike zone over there re-sharpened him.

 

But that was a class, class thing to do, for the Sox to send him a ring. Nice!

The "frisbee" was so fun to watch. I'd be cracking up every time I saw Shingo strike a guy out. An 85 mph fastball and a 55 mph frisbee? That ain't right.

Loved the Shingo...the excitement when he came into the game was great...with the japanese flavor we put on his intro...Mr. Zero...I enjoyed that. Its nice to hear we are missed.