Former Toronto Blue Jays' fan favorite joins NPB's Chunichi Dragons
Photo credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Former Toronto Blue Jays fan favorite Munenori Kawasaki is set to continue his remarkable baseball journey, joining Japan's Chunichi Dragons at the age of 44.
Nearly a decade after his time with the club, he's still playing the game he loves as he approaches his mid-40s.
Kawasaki, who turns 45 in June, is clearly not ready to step away from baseball.
Munenori Kawasaski joins Nippon Proffessional Baseball's Chunichi Dragons
According to a report out of Japan from Chunichi, Kawasaki will join the Chunichi Dragons for spring training in a hybrid player-coach role.
The veteran infielder first joined the Blue Jays on a minor-league contract ahead of the 2013 season and returned on similar deals in both 2014 and 2015.
He hit his first homerun with the club
It didn't take long for him to win over fans, thanks to his relentless energy, infectious enthusiasm, and unforgettable interview moments.
Several of those interviews went viral on social media, most notably following a walk-off, two-run double against the Baltimore Orioles that capped off one of his most memorable moments in Toronto.
May 26, 2013 - After hitting a 9th inning walk-off double in a 6-5 win over the Orioles, Munenori Kawasaki gives a postgame speech that later earns him the Topic of the Year Award at the annual GIBBY awards in December.
Over three seasons with the Blue Jays, Kawasaki appeared in 201 games, posting a slash line of .242/.326/.301 across 597 plate appearances.
He also hit hit first and only home run with the Blue Jays against the Orioles.
Y'all remember when blue jays legend Munenori Kawasaki hit his first and only major league Homerun? What a moment.
After leaving Toronto, he played 14 games with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 before returning to Japan to suit up for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2017.
Since then, Kawasaki has continued his globe-trotting career, playing in Japan's independent leagues and beyond.
Most recently, he competed for the Mid East Falcons during Baseball United's inaugural season in Dubai.
There, Kawasaki hit an impressive .381-third best in the league-and earned Championship Series MVP honors while helping lead his team to a title.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 28|30 ANSWERS Former Toronto Blue Jays' fan favorite joins NPB's Chunichi Dragons Do you think Munenori Kawasaki will ever get a coaching role in MLB one day? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 53.3 % |
| No | 8 | 26.7 % |
| Too early to tell | 6 | 20 % |
| List of polls | ||