Hideki Irabu (May 5, 1969 – July 27, 2011) was a professional baseball player of Okinawan and American mixed ancestry. He played professionally in both Japan and the United States.
Irabu made his highly publicized debut in The US on July 10, 1997. He played with the Yankees from 1997 through 1999, winning two World Series rings (1998, 1999). 1998 was Irabu’s best season in MLB, featuring career bests in games started (28), complete games (2), innings pitched (173), wins (13), and ERA (4.06).
After the 1999 season, he was traded to the Montreal Expos. He started only 14 games for the Expos in 2000 and 2001. In 2002, he signed as a free agent to pitch for the Texas Rangers as a closer. At the end of the year, Irabu moved back to Japan.
Hideki Irabu cause of death
Hideki Irabu was found dead in his home near Los Angeles on July 27, 2011 in an apparent suicide by hanging.