At 35, Former Yankees Pitcher Emerges as Frontrunner in Pinstripes’ Starting Pitching Hunt

Masahiro Tanaka was arguably one of the greatest pitchers to ever have played in the Pinstripes. When he last took his leave from the NY kingdom, the 2x All-Star left the Bronx dwellers with a heavy heart. Now, with a Japanese ace’s place ready to be filled in their dugout, the Bombers might have the perfect chance to go after the starting pitchers once again before 2024 arrives. 

Former Yankees’ pitcher recently made an appearance at an NBA match in Brooklyn. Could this possibly mean that the Japanese pitching phenom, who is dear to the entire Yankees fanbase, is well on his way to making a comeback?

Is Masahiro Tanaka thinking of coming back as a Yankee?

On his Twitter (now X) page, Masahiro Tanaka shared a photo that could indicate just the same. The ace was seen in a Brooklyn stadium donning a jersey to support the Nets, his favorite basketball team, along with Mai Satoda, his wife. The post that mysteriously read “NY was fun this year too” might hint at more than just a match’s worth of fun.

Though nothing has been confirmed either from the player’s or the team’s end, his presence at the Barclays Center might also translate to him being available for a Yankees meeting of two during his stay in the city.

Moreover, in early December, Masahiro Tanaka was featured in a cool video discussing pitches and various ball-handling techniques wearing a Yankees hat. Despite no official word from MLB about his desire to return, fans speculate that seeing him in the hat suggests the possibility isn’t entirely ruled out.

35-year-old Tanaka exited the Yankees clubhouse back in 2020 after playing under their banner for seven seasons. Yes, it is unlikely for a team to go after veterans of his age range—especially considering they went back to their home country to keep their ground rooted in the sport. But with Tanaka’s previous form on the Bronx mound as a testament, a reunion only seems likely!

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The terrorizing talent of Tanaka

During his 2014 to 2020 stay under the Bronx Bombers’ banner, Masahiro Tanaka was named an All-Star twice ( 2014 and 2019). Renowned for his two-seam and four-seam fastballs that go as high as 97 miles per hour, Mā-kun has several other pitches in his arsenal.

From a bottom splitter to solid sliders joined by an infrequent curveball or two, Tanaka was feared by most hitters in MLB for his aggressive attacking style. The ace seldom stuck to just one throw style, making it albeit impossible for the opposing hitters to prepare themselves for what was to come until they were hit with a deep pitch mix inside the zone.

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Needless to say, should a Tanaka-Yankee reunion come to light anytime soon, the Yankees fans will be more than happy to receive the pitcher from the Sakura Kingdom back again with open arms!