Aki Iwamura 2010 Pirate Game Used MLB Auction

[MLB~NUT]

:confused: Aki Iwamura, Phttp://pirates.auction.mlb.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=161382981&prmenbr=33335474&aunbr=161729691irates Gamer MLB Auctions

[Shipp_96]

Dude, I saw that and it is CRAZY! I have no idea other, than perhaps he is Legend in Japan:

Iwamura was a third baseman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_baseman) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Yakult_Swallows) in the Japanese Central League (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_League). He represented Japan in the 2006 World Baseball Classic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_World_Baseball_Classic), and was nicknamed "Japanese Lightning".


His best season was 2004, when he hit 44 home runs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_run) with 103 RBI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_batted_in) and a .300 batting average. In that same season, he also set the Japanese baseball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Professional_Baseball) record for strikeouts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strikeout) with 173.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akinori_Iwamura#cite_note-1)
[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akinori_Iwamura&action=edit&section=3)] Awards in Japan


Six-time Golden Glove (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsui_Golden_Glove_Award) winner (2000–2002, 2004–2006)
Three-time NPB All-Star (2001, 2004, 2005)
Two-time Best Nine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Nine_Award) (2002, 2006)
Monthly MVP (August 2004)
Japan Series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Series) Valuable Player (2001)

[camarokids]

Currently at $1150.00. His stuff is pretty rare. I have cataloged his Devil Rays bats that I have seen hit the market. Counting his Pirates bats and I have accounted for about 15 total. I was told by a Devil Rays team employee that Aki keeps a lot of his equipment.

I have four of his Devil Rays/Rays bats. I believe the count is 12 Devil Rays/ Rays bats.

Here is my research thread.....

http://www.hofbats.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503

[MLB~NUT]

Yeah, I saw it and was like who the HELL is this guy??? Just thought it was funny!!!

[hrvatwill]

Jersey can't show much use. Pirates only wore those during Sunday home games and Iwamura only played about 1/3 of the season for them. The batting average that accompanies that jersey is .182. Japanese legend or not, it still seems like a really bad deal. In fact, one would actually have to pay me to take it, as otherwise I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.

[camarokids]

Japanese fans spend big bucks for the items they want. Aki has stunk up the field since he was traded from the Rays to the Pirates. I would not spend anywhere near the amount the jersey is at.

[gnishiyama]

Coming from someone who knows the Japanese market very well,
Akinori Iwamura, although popular, is not and never will be considered a legend.
Every MLB at I have handled of his, I sold for less than $300 and that was
during his MLB heyday.

This "legend" is back in Japan putting up some historical numbers:
.188 AVG, 0HR, 5 RBI.

The auction does not reflect true market value of his equipment.
Just a ridiculous over-inflated price driven perhaps by two collectors who
need the jersey to complete a collection.

Goh Nishiyama

[camarokids]

Coming from someone who knows the Japanese market very well,
Akinori Iwamura, although popular, is not and never will be considered a legend.
Every MLB at I have handled of his, I sold for less than $300 and that was
during his MLB heyday.

This "legend" is back in Japan putting up some historical numbers:
.188 AVG, 0HR, 5 RBI.

The auction does not reflect true market value of his equipment.
Just a ridiculous over-inflated price driven perhaps by two collectors who
need the jersey to complete a collection.

Goh Nishiyama

Thanks for chiming in! I knew you would see this and post!

Aki's MLB Career ended with barely a thud......