Hisanori Takahashi

Hisanori Takahashi (高橋 尚成, Takahashi Hisanori, born April 2, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He began his professional career in NPB with the Yomiuri Giants, and played in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs.\n', ' Takahashi debuted in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yomiuri Giants in 2000. He was a finesse starting pitcher in Japan, featuring an 86–89 mph fastball (tops out at 92 mph), slider, curveball, and a screwball as his out pitch.\n', ' On February 11, 2010, Takahashi signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. Takahashi included a clause in his contract stipulating that the Mets must release him to free agency by October 31, 2010. Takahashi started the 2010 season in the Mets\' bullpen. On May 21, he made his first appearance as a starting pitcher against the New York Yankees, picking up a no decision with 6 scoreless innings. With the loss of Francisco Rodríguez to injury, Takahashi served as the closer for the Mets and recorded his first major league save on August 16 against the Houston Astros.\n', '