#716) SHINGO TAKATSU

Shingo Takatsu joined the New York Mets when he was signed as a free agent on August 12, 2005. He had been released by the Chicago White Sox who were the first major league team for which he appeared. Shingo did not finish the season with the 2005 White Sox team that won a World Championship, but was awarded a World Series ring by the club for his early season contributions. So he was the only "Mets" player to get one that year.

The submariner had previously played in the Japanese Professional Baseball league and had great success. Earning him the nickname, "Mr. Zero" because he has not given up a single run in his 11 Japan Series championship games.

Shingo appeared in nine games for the New York Mets registering a very respectable 2.35 ERA. Unfortunately he also allowed two home runs in only 7.2 innings of work. Those were actually the only two runs registered against him during his tenure as a Met. He was granted free agency on November 10, 2005.

I traded for the Shingo Takatsu signed index card used to make this card. It came from my friend, Dan (of DN Autographs.com) who had gotten it from Takatsu on September 9, 2004.