Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Hideki Irabu, former Yankees pitcher, found dead in Rancho Palos Verdes
Listen
• 0:51
27 Feb 2002: Hideki Irabu of the Texas Rangers poses during media day at Charlotte County Stadium in Port Charlotte, Florida.
(
Rick Stewart/Getty Images
)
Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was found dead Wednesday in Rancho Palos Verdes. The county sheriff says he apparently killed himself. He was 42.
Irabu was billed as the Japanese version of Nolan Ryan when he arrived in the U.S. in 1997, and in his first game for the Yankees, he struck out nine men and got the win. The fans in Yankee Stadium gave him a standing ovation, some bowing with both hands over their heads. It was his finest moment in the majors.
Bobby Valentine, one of his former managers said, “He was a work in progress. It just didn't progress the way he had planned or the way some people planned.” Irabu wound up with a 34-and-35 record and a 5+ ERA for three teams.
Off the field, he was arrested for assaulting a bartender in Japan in 2008 and was arrested for driving drunk in Gardena last year. Valentine said “I think he was one of his own worst enemies.”
Support for LAist comes from
The manager said he got a little sick to his stomach when he heard of Irabu’s death.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist