Lucky Number 99! No, not Manny

I'm talking, So Taguchi.  How lucky is So Taguchi?  We might find out this year. 

 

040808taguchi.jpg

In case you haven't heard of this much quieter player who wears number 99, So Taguchi is a native of Japan.  He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002 at the age of 33.  He's a good little bench player.  Plays some outfield, a little 2B, steals a few bases and is good in a pinch--hit or run. 

 

 

After a few short call-ups in '02 and '03, Taguchi appeared in 109 games in 2004 after coming up in June.  How opportune that Taguchi happened to be on the Cardinals roster when they went to their first World Series in 15 years! 

 

In 2005, the Cardinals made it to the post-season again.  How fortunate Taguchi was to play in the post-season two-years in a row!  Was it a fluke?

 

In 2006, the Cardinals win the World Series.  How privileged Taguchi must have felt to be part of a winning tradition.

 

In 2007, the Cardinals rolled craps and Taguchi was cut loose.  Maybe, the luck had worn off.

 

Maybe not.  In 2008, Taguchi signs with the Philadelphia Phillies, who of course win the World Series.  Taguchi's stats don't flash, but his track record does.  Two teams.  Two rings.  That seems pretty improbable, especially when you think of all the great players with out a ring.

 

In a game fraught with superstition, curses, reverses and the 11th commandment (Don't mess with a streak), is So Taguchi the ultimate good luck charm?  Does he have the mojo to reverse the longest running curse of them all?  You know, the one that involves a goat and a little place in Chicago that is grown over with ivy?

 

We may find out.  So Taguchi is on the list of non-roster Spring Training invitees for the Chicago Cubs.  If the Taguchi makes the roster and the Cubs finally reach ultimate success this year, the Cardinals are going to be sad they let So go.  And, no matter how bad the pun, I won't be able to resist saying, "I told you So."

12 Comments

I love So Taguchi! He is my favorite! I almost cried when The Cardinals let him go! I went to a Phillies game in St. Louis last year and stood and cheered when they brought him out to pinch hit. Best game I went to last year.
Although I hope So doesn't help them break that curse, at least not this year. If he does the Indians will have the longest streak without a World Series and that is unacceptable. And it's the Cubs. :)
Melissa
http://clemsongirlbaseball.mlblogs.com/

By lissi on January 28, 2009 12:33 AM
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Maybe this will be the year for the Cubs! Sometimes all it takes is for one guy to change the feel of the clubhouse. Be it for the good (Taguchi?) or for the bad (Manny!)

Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/

By juliasrants on January 28, 2009 5:41 AM
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hello rbchatter thanks for your comment in my blog look Im Cuban living in Spain so and I cant speak english well but I Will try to understood with you I know what you said about Yadier so thanks and I put a comment about it in my blog please read it .other way you look very nice in this bull you are a brave woman ........By the way How you put the photo and the video in your blog I need you help me Iam new kid in town (Kid? jejejeje just a little) Idont find the way to put me in the profile ok have a nice day .

By valduno1959gmailcom on January 28, 2009 10:34 AM
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hello rbhatter Iwrote a comment here but Icant find it ok any way only want to thank your comment in my blog and say you look very nice riding on the bull you are a brave woman thanks.

By valduno1959gmailcom on January 28, 2009 10:39 AM
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So Taguchi, Aaron Miles, Edmonds (last year)... we're cursed. Watch, So and Miles are gonna be Cardinal killers this year.

--Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/

By Red State Blue State on January 28, 2009 11:11 AM
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My best guess is that So will bat .300 for the Cubbies. That's just how these things work out for some reason.

By metseptember on January 28, 2009 1:32 PM
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Melissa - Taguchi is one of those players that is hard not to love. Although seeing him in a Cubs jersey might kill the affection. We'll see.
Julia - That's what worries me!
valduno1959 - Your English is much better than my Spanish, which is mostly limited to food. Some say I'm brave. Others say I'm crazy. Most days it's hard to know which. Thanks! Oh wait....gracias...I know that word.
Jeff - It's embarassing. When did we become part of the Cubs farm system.
metseptember - Thanks for your optimism. ;-)
-Kathy

By rbchatter on January 29, 2009 6:53 AM
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Aw, I have to say that that was a pretty corny joke. It's definitely something my dad would say. I've heard a lot of bad puns over the years from him :) But this is a very interesting story. We'll have to see what happens...
http://kaybee.mlblogs.com

By Kaybee on January 29, 2009 12:05 PM
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I played against Taguchi in Baseball Mogul 2008. He got a single for the Cards.
http://imbringingdiamondback.mlblogs.com

By xcicix on January 29, 2009 7:50 PM
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I swear if the Cubs win the WS all year, I will credit you endlessly. And I'm sure there are endless ways to use that pun.
-Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com

By redsoxgirl46 on January 29, 2009 8:26 PM
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Wow, If Taguchi brings a WS title to every team he plays for, then the Twins get him next! I hope his run of good fortune comes to an end this year, though. The Cubs winning a World Series would surely be a sign of the apocalypse.
-Erin
http://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com

By Erin Kathleen on January 30, 2009 10:12 PM
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