Mac Suzuki Signs with the Calgary Vipers of the Golden Baseball League

Published on April 29, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


Calgary, BC, CANADA. April 29, 2009 - The Calgary Vipers of the independent professional Golden Baseball League (GBL) have announced that they have agreed to terms with former Major League pitcher and Japan Professional Baseball (NPB) League closer Mac Suzuki on a player contract for the 2009 season. Suzuki was the first Japanese pitcher to appear in an American League game when he make it to the big leagues with Seattle as a 21 year old in 1996.

With a number of Golden League teams adding former major leaguers to their rosters over the past week the Calgary Vipers jumped into the mix on Tuesday. The Vipers announced the signing of six year major league veteran Mac Suzuki. Suzuki brings 117 games of big league experience to the Vipers, including 67 starts for Seattle, Kansas City, Colorado and Milwaukee. He was also in the Royals major league camp in Surprise, Arizona last month. Suzuki finished last season with the Vipers posting a stingy 1.64 ERA in five games.

"Mac brings incredible maturity, experience and class to our locker room", said Vipers director of baseball operations Peter Young. "I expect we will use him as our closer and with Cody Cillo and Jon Huizinga also available for late inning work our starters should be pretty comfortable if they can get by six."

Suzuki, 33, came to the U.S. as a 17 year old and joined the minor league Salinas Spurs in the California League which was owned by Don Nomura who went on to become a legendary agent for Japanese players and paved the way for MLB teams to acquire top Japanese talent. Suzuki became his first client and after an outstanding two years in the minors he signed with the Seattle Mariners. He was the first Japanese pitcher to pitch in the American League and was also the first Japanese player to play for a Major League club without first signing and playing in the Japan Professional League.

Suzuki had an outstanding stint with the Vipers at the end of last season and was key to their drive to the Championship Series final versus the Orange County Flyers.

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