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The Tampa Bay Rays introduced Japanese slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo to the media this afternoon, giving fans the first look at the newest member of the Rays family, as well as Tampa Bay’s 2020 jersey, which will feature a Nike swoosh on the front of the jersey.
The newest #Rays slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo pic.twitter.com/OAuRn9wpWg
— Scott Smith (@ScottSmithFOX13) December 17, 2019
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo about to get formally introduced as a member of the #Rays. pic.twitter.com/uOIVCSSUXt
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) December 17, 2019
New #Rays slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo-san has invited the Rays employees and the Tampa Bay community to simply call him "Yoshi"
— Danny Russell (@d_russ) December 17, 2019
#Rays Neander on Tsutsugo: “Yoshi is someone that, by all accounts, loves baseball and has an exceptional work ethic.”
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) December 17, 2019
Yoshi putting on his new uniform. #Rays pic.twitter.com/smIePiLOJK
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) December 17, 2019
#Rays Kevin Cash to Yoshitomo Tsutsugo right before this pic: “You smilin’?” pic.twitter.com/ATpkuqTJzj
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) December 17, 2019
#Rays Cash, as Tsutsugo tries on his jersey: “looks good. Looks really good.”
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) December 17, 2019
筒香嘉智はレイズファミリーの一員です pic.twitter.com/P3bexc3gvM
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) December 17, 2019
Tsutsugo makes his opening statement on joining #Rays (in English): pic.twitter.com/gNxG5gMq9L
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 17, 2019
Tsutsugo notes twice the #Rays were the first organization to express interest in signing him
— Danny Russell (@d_russ) December 17, 2019
#Rays Kevin Cash on what he expects from Yoshimoto Tsutsugo: “Full expect him to be a presence somewhere right in the middle of our lineup.”
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) December 17, 2019
Erik Neander: “There’s not a long list of players that can hit the way he hits. The quality of pitching in the NPB is very strong. I don’t think the transition between leagues is nearly as strong as assumed.” #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/GZ9Gj67EX4
— Grace Remington (@GraceRemiWTSP) December 17, 2019
Probably about two-thirds Japanese Media here for the Yoshi introduction #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/Lg8IYBxgwt
— Scott Smith (@ScottSmithFOX13) December 17, 2019
More than a dozen Japanese media attended #Rays media session for Tsutsugo pic.twitter.com/7KK2nF0qJE
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 17, 2019
Kevin Cash impressed with Yoshi’s presence, even in this media room.
— Grace Remington (@GraceRemiWTSP) December 17, 2019
“We’ve watched him interact with people, interact with us. We’re getting a guy that can walk in and be himself and be one of our leaders going forward.” #RaysUp
Orestes Destrade meeting with Yoshitomo Tsutsugo #Rays pic.twitter.com/2VXas3Z7uF
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) December 17, 2019
From the BayStars of Japan to Tampa Bay.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) December 17, 2019
ようこそ, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo! pic.twitter.com/ynFBopVkcS
Yoshi
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) December 17, 2019
Yoshi
Yoshi pic.twitter.com/98pjWyADA1