In 2003, Kazuo Matsui was set to follow in the footsteps of Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui towards MLB stardom. Instead, he became the first in line of Japanese players who couldn't make the leap.

Team Japan has announced its roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and Padres reliever Yuki Matsui was named as one of eight MLB players selected to represent the country. Matsui becomes the ...