After chartering 787, Tanaka introduced by Yanks

Posted February 12, 2014 12:01 am

Associated Press

NEW YORK - Masahiro Tanaka has been introduced by the Yankees after chartering a Boeing 787 Dreamliner for his trip from Tokyo to New York.

The 25-year-old right-hander agreed Jan. 22 to a $155 million, seven-year contract and stopped in New York for Tuesday's news conference at Yankee Stadium en route to the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., where workouts start this weekend.

Tanaka put on his No. 19 jersey and, speaking in English, said "I'm very happy to be a Yankee."

Tanaka charted the Japan Airlines plane, which seats about 200, at what was reported to be a cost of about $200,000 for a flight said to include five passengers and his poodle Haru.

Tanaka was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last year, leading the Rakuten Golden Eagles to the Japan Series title.

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