Everyone figures that dollar signs is usually the big reason why free agents decide to join the New York Yankees organization. However, in an interview published Friday with the Los Angeles Times, new Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda said the tradition of the Yankees was one of the big reason why he choice to sign a one-year, $10-million deal that was made official this past week.
"They have an incredible tradition," Kuroda said of the Yankees. "They contend for the championship every year. I wanted to play for a team like that. When you get to my age, you don’t know how much longer you can pitch and I wanted to experience that before my career ended."
In the LA Times article, Kuroda said his choice was between New York or rejoining his former Japanese team, the Hiroshima Carp. Kuroda also mentioned that his family will remain in L.A. as his kids will continue their schooling there.
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