Venezuelan outfielder Alex Ramirez and pitcher Yu Darvish named MVPs of Japanese baseball

November 5th, 2009 Japanese fans celebrate Matsui's MVP performanceTOKYO — Japan nearly came to a standstill as millions watched on TV while Hideki Matsui, the man they know as Godzilla, stomped around New York to lead the Yankees to the World Series title. Matsui became the first Japanese-born player to win the MVP trophy for the Most Valuable Player of the World Series with a record-tying six RBIs in the clincher to lead the Yankees over the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 on Wednesday.

October 24th, 2009 Mets minor leaguer dies of apparent heart attackNEW YORK — New York Mets minor league pitcher Rafael Castro has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 18. Castro died Friday at the Mets' academy in Carabobo, Venezuela.

October 15th, 2009 Major league teams wooing Japanese pitcher Kikuchi TOKYO — The Boston Red Sox are among several major league teams lining up to woo Japanese high school pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. The 18-year-old lefthander, who throws a fastball that has been clocked as high as 96 mph, is the latest Japanese amateur pitcher to draw interest from major leagues teams.

September 14th, 2009 Japan praises Ichiro Suzuki's major league recordTOKYO — The high praise for Ichiro Suzuki came from none other than Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh. "Sometimes we forget how difficult it is to accomplish these things amid a baseball schedule which is much tougher in the U.S.

August 22nd, 2009 Mets minor leaguer suspended after drug testNEW YORK — Mets pitcher Santiago Valdez has been suspended for 50 games under baseball's minor league drug program after a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension of Valdez, who is with the Mets' Gulf Coast League team, began Friday.

August 19th, 2009 Japanese baseball team infected with swine fluSAPPORO, Japan — All players and staff of the Nippon Ham Fighters baseball team will be tested for swine flu after two players and a coach contracted the virus, the Japanese Pacific League team said Wednesday. Former major league outfielder Terrmel Sledge, pitcher Naoki Miyanishi and head coach Junichi Fukura were confirmed to have contracted the virus when 27 people were tested Tuesday.

August 9th, 2009 Red Sox's Ramirez ejected after hitting A-RodNEW YORK —Boston pitcher Ramon Ramirez was ejected in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees after hitting Alex Rodriguez with a pitch. A day after the Yankees won 2-0 in 15 innings to open a 4½-game AL East lead, Ramirez replaced Clay Buchholz to start the inning and nearly hit Mark Teixeira with a pitch before walking him with one out in the seventh Saturday.

August 5th, 2009 Tigers recall OF Ramirez and option RHP FienDETROIT — The Detroit Tigers recalled outfielder Wilkin Ramirez from Triple-A Toledo and optioned right-hander Casey Fien to the minors. Ramirez hit .274 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs in 90 games with Toledo.

July 17th, 2009 5 players in Dominican league suspended for drugsNEW YORK — Five minor league players in the Dominican Summer League were suspended for 50 games on Thursday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Oakland pitchers Alexis Juma and Alex Nolasco, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Renedin Mesa, Philadelphia pitcher Joan Pascual and Phillies outfielder Jose Trinidad were penalized under baseball's minor league drug program.

July 7th, 2009 Cubs activate 3B Ramirez from disabled listCHICAGO — Third baseman Aramis Ramirez was activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday, rejoining the Chicago Cubs after a two-month absence Monday because of a dislocated left shoulder. Ramirez, who has six 100-RBI seasons over the previous eight years, injured the shoulder diving for a ball during a game in Milwaukee on May 8.

July 4th, 2009 Red Sox pitcher Dice-K's going to FloridaBOSTON — Boston right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will head to Florida on Monday to begin a spring training-like strengthening program that the Red Sox hope will get him back to the big leagues later this season. Matsuzaka was 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .378 before going on the disabled list June 21.

June 20th, 2009 2 Rays minor leaguers suspended for positive testsNEW YORK — A pair of Tampa Bay Rays in the Venezuelan Summer League have been suspended under baseball's minor league drug program. Outfielder Franklin Alcala and pitcher Carlos Orasma will each serve 50-game bans, Major League Baseball said Friday.

June 17th, 2009 Manny has a coldLOS ANGELES — Manny Ramirez is not feeling well. The suspended slugging outfielder has apparently caught a bug that's been going around the Los Angeles Dodgers.

June 2nd, 2009 Strasburg among 5 finalists for Golden SpikesDURHAM, N.C. — San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg is among five finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation's top amateur baseball player.

May 30th, 2009 Mannywood should not be home to an All-StarThe Dodgers were deep into spring training, and owner Frank McCourt was playing tough guy. He had to because, even though no one else had any interest in signing Manny Ramirez, he had to show agent Scott Boras who was in charge.