Happy Trails, Kenji Johjima

Kenji Johjima, the first ever Japanese-born catcher to play in the big leagues, has decided to abandon the final two years of his three-year, $33 million contract with the Seattle Mariners in favor of heading back home to Japan.

The 33-year-old backstop isn't calling it quits, however. He's decided to finish his career in his home land.

"After lots of very deep thought and deliberation, I have decided to return home to resume my career in Japan," Johjima said Monday. "I have had a wonderful experience competing at the Major League level. The last four years have been extraordinary, with great teammates and great coaches. I will always be indebted to the Mariners organization for giving me the opportunity to follow my dream. This was a very difficult decision, both professionally and personally. I feel now is the time to go home, while I still can perform at a very high level."

So Many Catchers, So Little Time

Kenji Johjima and the Seattle Mariners agreed Friday to a three-year, $24 million contract extension, keeping the veteran catcher around through 2011.

As the first Japanese backstop in the big leagues, Johjima hit .291 and .287 in his first two seasons with the Mariners -- decent -- but was batting just .200 coming into Friday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics.

Manager John McLaren mentioned that Johjima's recent lack of a contract may have been affecting his offensive play, which the catcher totally denied.

"My struggling offensively has nothing to do with my contract," he said.

Maybe next time, Jeff Clement. And Rob Johnson.

[MLB]

Wednesday's Babelicious Scoreboard

Fans tuned in from all across the globe to witness an outstanding pitching performance. They got one - from strikeout leader Felix Hernandez (2-0, 0.00 ERA) - rather than the expected show by Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-1, 2.57 ERA). Seattle's pitching phenom racked up 6 more K's and didn't allow a hit until J.D. Drew spoiled his no-no bid with a single on the first pitch he saw in the eighth inning.

The Mariners' (3-2) victory, a 3-0 win over the Red Sox (4-4), marked Hernandez's third complete game in 45 starts - his performance overshadowing the much-anticipated first big league matchup between Dice-K and Ichiro Suzuki.