Wladimir Balentein & The Japanese HR Record

[Angelsjunky]

In non-MLB news, Wladimir Balentien just hit HR #55, tying Sadoharo Oh for the record. He's going to break it, obviously.

 

Balentien was a Mariners prospect five+ years ago. He never quite made it and looked like a quad-A hitter ala Dallas McPherson. It will be interesting to see if he decides to come to the States and have a major league career, or if he prefers all the Japanese 'tang he's getting.

[notherhalo]

thanks, I wish we covered NPB in the sports media here a little bit, at least show some NPB finals winners or things like that

[Angelsjunky]

At least you can find stats on Baseball Reference. This guy had a pretty good career:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/japan/player.cgi?id=oh----000sad

[arch stanton]

Randy Bass had a chance to break that record in the 80's and they wouldn't pitch to him. The times they are a'changin.

[ukyah]

Randy Bass had a chance to break that record in the 80's and they wouldn't pitch to him. The times they are a'changin.

 

 

that's the very thing that was brought to my mind when i first read of balentien approaching Oh's record.

[ELEVEN]

Oh

[Tank]

i'll bet the locals in tokyo have a fun time pronouncing "wladimir".

[Taylor]

i'll bet the locals in tokyo have a fun time pronouncing "wladimir".

 

Radimeer.

[Ray McKigney]

Oh: "NO! Sum Ting Wong."