Beijing 2008 Olympian and World Baseball Classic 2009 winner Yu Darvish became the third Japanese-born pitcher to combine 200 wins between Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
On Sunday, 19 May, Darvish led the San Diego Padres to a 9-1 win against the Atlanta Braves. He pitched seven innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out nine. It was his 107th MLB win. The right-hander has also played for the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
Yu Darvish joins elite company with his 200th career win -- MLB & NPB combined!
— MLB (@MLB) May 20, 2024
Only Hiroki Kuroda (203) and Hideo Nomo (201) have more combined wins among Japanese-born pitchers. pic.twitter.com/QM09EDRPSr
"I understand it's a big number, but it's still hard for me to comprehend it right now," he said through an interpreter.
Darvish earned 93 NPB wins pitching for the Nippon Ham Fighters from 2005 to 2011.
Athens 2004 bronze medallist Hiroki Kuroda combined 203 career wins, 124 with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of NPB and 79 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees of MLB.
Seoul 1988 silver medallist Hideo Nomo combined 201 wins - 123 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals of MLB and 78 with the Kintetsu Buffaloes of NPB.
"We know how good they are," Darvish commented. "Just to be able to be a little closer to them, I feel honoured, and it gives me confidence moving forward."
Take a look back at the historic outing from Yu Darvish on #SundayNightBaseball. ???? pic.twitter.com/DQX4iEeFpu
— MLB (@MLB) May 20, 2024
Darvish was born Faridun Yu Darvishsefat on 16 August 1986 in Habikino, Osaka. His Iranian father, Farsad Darvishsefat, met Yu's mother, Ikuyo, at Eckerd College in the United States.
