Tsuyoshi Shinjo - Brief Article - Interview - Statistical Data Included

Interview, June, 2001 by Scott Lyle Cohen

HE'S GOOD WITH PITCHERS, AND GREAT IN PICTURES

His decision to pursue a fanciful verson of the American Dream cost professional baseball player Tsuyoshi Shinjo, 29, over $13 million.

By coming to the States, Shinjo, a Japanese icon revered for his good looks (he's part-time model), gregarious personality, popular Website (www.shinjyo5.net) and rock star following, is effectively turning his back on fame and fortune-- he rejected a $14 million contract from is former team, the Hanshin Tigers, to accept reported $700,000 offer from the New York Mets--to prove himself anew on the world's biggest stage. "I wanted to escape the comfort and adulation I had in Japan," Shinjo explains via a translator. "Everything was guaranteed for me. Now I want to take the next step, the next challenge. I want to succeed in America and in New York." So how will he measure success? Through quelling the hunger that drives him, it seems: "On the field, my goal is to do my best Off the field, I want to learn enough English to order my own food."

While nothing is guaranteed for Shinjo in New York--he will likely play sparingly and may not even last the year with the Mets--that's just the point. This grand experiment in personal challenge, a step backward to take a leap forward, is his own way of combating complacency and truly testing himself, and it's the biggest and riskiest play of his career.

There's more than just your favorite team to root for this baseball season.