It’s come full circle and back to Japan.

Outfielder Yang Daigang (陽岱鋼), who once represented Taiwanese baseball, has joined an independent Japanese team in a bid to return to professional baseball in Japan. Japanese media reported that Yang signed with the Oshikis Niigata Albirex, who joined the Eastern League (second division) this year. This is his first attempt at Nippon Professional Baseball in three years after leaving the Yomiuri Giants in 2021.

Nippon Professional Baseball has two divisions, the Western and Eastern. Starting this season, the Central and Pacific leagues, as well as some independent teams that are not affiliated with the 12 clubs, have been added to the second division. The second division has been expanded and reorganized.

The Oshikisu, based in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, played in the independent BC League (Baseball Challenge) until last year. Former Yakult Swallows manager Shingo Takatsu returns from the major leagues, where he played and managed for Yakult, 바카라사이트 Our Heroes, and the Hsin-Nong Bulls (Taiwan). Takatsu will have his number 22 retired.

Yang Daigang, a native of Taitung, Taiwan, has an unusual background.

He studied baseball in Japan. After graduating from Fukuoka Daiichigo, he joined the Nippon Ham Fighters in 2006 as the No. 1 draft pick.

He started playing full-time in 2011, and went on to hit over 130 hits in four straight years and double-digit stolen bases in five straight years. In 2013, he led the team in runs scored (93) and stolen bases (47).

After becoming a free agent after the 2016 season, Yang Daigang switched to the Yomiuri uniform. He signed a five-year, 1.5 billion yen contract. It was the fulfillment of the “Japan Dream.

He played center field for the Nippon Hammers, winning the Outfield Golden Glove from 2012-14 and 2016. He also made his presence felt with his outstanding outfield defense.

He did not join the Taiwanese team for the 2017 WBC in order to focus on Yomiuri in his first year, and he did not perform as expected.

In 87 games, he batted 2-for-6 with 87 hits, nine home runs, 33 RBIs, and four doubles.

His next four seasons were equally unremarkable. 토토사이트 순위 Not once did he hit more than his first season. There were injuries and he lost the competition for the starting job.

After his five-year contract with Yomiuri ended, he was unable to find a new team in Japan. In 1322 games in Nippon Professional Baseball, he had a 2.07 batting average, 1164 hits, 105 home runs, 482 RBIs, and 141 stolen bases.

After leaving Yomiuri, he played in the Australian League and the American Independent League. Last year, he played 98 games in the American Independent League, batting 2-for-7.

Yang has represented Taiwan in the 2006 and 2013 WBC and 2015 Premier12.

Nippon Professional Baseball has until July 31 to add players. For the 37-year-old, this could be his last chance.