GaryMrMets
01-13-2003, 01:49 AM
Ex-Tigers Pitcher Kida to Try Out for Majors Again
.c Kyodo News Service
TOKYO, Japan (Jan. 12) -- Former Detroit Tigers right-hander Masao Kida said Monday he plans to try out for the major leagues for a second time next month as he has recovered from a chronic backache to a point where he can engage in pitching practices.
Kida revealed his intention to launch a fresh bid to return to the majors at a fan gathering nearly a year after failing in a tryout for the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2002 season.
''I want to meet Japanese major leaguers over there, but only after becoming a major leaguer myself,'' Kida said.
He will depart for the United States on Tuesday for training and hope to take part in tryouts with major league clubs early next month.
Kida, formerly with the Yomiuri Giants and the Orix BlueWave, pitched for the Detroit Tigers mostly as a reliever in a disappointing stint for one-plus seasons in 1999 and 2000.
He was released by the Orix BlueWave, the Pacific League club he rejoined during the 2000 season, in the fall of 2001 and had lower back surgery before trying to revive his career in North America.
After the failure in the Cubs trial, Kida returned to Japan with a recurrence of back pains and had to go through a rehabilitation process for months.
''I've been out of action for a year and a half, but I'm in perfect shape now and there's no problem with my back,'' the 34-year-old said.
01/12/03 05:07 EST
Copyright 2002 The Kyodo News Service. The information contained in the Kyodo news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Kyodo News Service. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
.c Kyodo News Service
TOKYO, Japan (Jan. 12) -- Former Detroit Tigers right-hander Masao Kida said Monday he plans to try out for the major leagues for a second time next month as he has recovered from a chronic backache to a point where he can engage in pitching practices.
Kida revealed his intention to launch a fresh bid to return to the majors at a fan gathering nearly a year after failing in a tryout for the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2002 season.
''I want to meet Japanese major leaguers over there, but only after becoming a major leaguer myself,'' Kida said.
He will depart for the United States on Tuesday for training and hope to take part in tryouts with major league clubs early next month.
Kida, formerly with the Yomiuri Giants and the Orix BlueWave, pitched for the Detroit Tigers mostly as a reliever in a disappointing stint for one-plus seasons in 1999 and 2000.
He was released by the Orix BlueWave, the Pacific League club he rejoined during the 2000 season, in the fall of 2001 and had lower back surgery before trying to revive his career in North America.
After the failure in the Cubs trial, Kida returned to Japan with a recurrence of back pains and had to go through a rehabilitation process for months.
''I've been out of action for a year and a half, but I'm in perfect shape now and there's no problem with my back,'' the 34-year-old said.
01/12/03 05:07 EST
Copyright 2002 The Kyodo News Service. The information contained in the Kyodo news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Kyodo News Service. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.