So Taguchi Heads Back to Japan

As So Taguchi heads back to Japan, we remember his short, yet great legacy with the Cardinals.

Game 2, top of the ninth, tie game. Every Cardinals fan remembers it – October 12th, 2006 – the day So Taguchi put a 98 mile-per-hour fastball into the seats. It was his second home run of the postseason – his fourth of the year. Throughout the year, Taguchi had been an unnoticed utility player who would pinch hit here and there. Over his six year span with the Cardinals, So became a fan favorite, but somehow we lost him. This victory tied the Cardinals with the Mets who would eventually be knocked out. So what is So’s story? How did he come to be the primary part of one of the most important plays in Cardinals history?

So Taguchi began his professional career at age 22 in Japan, playing with the Orix Buffaloes. Taguchi played ten seasons there, hitting just under .300 most years, yet hitting more powerfully with as many as ten home runs in some years. In 2002, the Cardinals offered So, a free agent at the time, an MLB contract which he accepted. Although he was 32 at the time, he began to progress, no matter how you look at it. So’s batting average began to rise, as well as his home run count, RBI’s, and stolen bases. His hardworking, humble attitude quickly garnered more playing time. Now, as So moves back to Japan with his old team that gave him his first chance, we remember how loved he was.

In years when So Taguchi had between 300 and 400 at-bats, he had a batting average of .305. In years he didn’t (not including the Cubs), he averaged below .280. Instead of giving Taguchi the amount of at-bats So needed to be So, they gave him just eleven at-bats the entire year, as if to tell Taguchi: “We don’t want you anymore.” The Cubs quickly killed the MLB career that just seemed to to be getting better with age. As So Taguchi leaves for his hometown, it is bittersweet for any Cardinals fan– we enjoyed having him – but we know it’s time to say goodbye. His legacy was short and sweet – to Cardinals fans, another great hero, who will always have a place in our hearts, and to Cubs fans, another lame excuse, who will always have a place on their excuse list.