Darvish was chosen to start the first game of the 2006 Asia Series, Japan Series, and Pacific League playoffs (played between the champions of Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea at the end of the season).
With his victory in Game 5 of the series, Darvish, who was 20 at the time, became the fifth pitcher in NPB history to win a Japan Series game at that age and the first pitcher to start a Japan Series game since 1987 while under the age of 21. He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Asia Series.
Darvish became the fourth pitcher in franchise history (counting the Fighters’ years as the Senators and Flyers) to start a season opener within three years after graduating high school when he was selected as the starter for the Fighters’ 2007 season opener (the other three pitchers all started season openers as rookies).
He became the second pitcher in Japanese professional baseball history to strike out 14 or more batters in two straight starts when he struck out 14 over nine innings in his second start against the Lions on March 30 (the game ended in extra innings tied 2-2), and 14 again in his third start against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on April 7.
How Much Does Yu Darvish Make?
Yu Darvish’s average annual pay is $21,000,000. Darvish will receive a base salary of $19,000,000 in 2022.