Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu found hanged in his California home
* Friend reportedly found irabu in his california home at 4:25pm yesterday
* Police sources said it appeared he had hanged himself
* Troubled former sports star was arrested for drunken driving last year
* Came to u.s. After achieving stardom in japan but struggled to live up to expectations
Former new york yankees pitcher hideki irabu has been found dead at his california home, after allegedly committing suicide.
The body of irabu, 42, who came to the club from japan touted as a superstar, but left after a series of arguments and on the field disappointments, was reportedly found by a friend at 4:25pm yesterday.
Police sources told tmz that it appeared he had committed suicide by hanging himself.
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Baseball star: Former new york yankees pitcher hideki irabu was found dead at his california home in a suspected suicide
The la county coroner is trying to locate his next of kin.
Sergeant michael arriaga of the county sheriff's office said: 'he was found dead by an apparent suicide'.
It is believed that irabu's body was discovered at his home in the la suburb of rancho palos verdes.
The baseball star played in the big leagues for six years after initially achieving stardom in japan.
There were high expectations when irabu signed a $12.8 million contract to come to the u.s. In 1997.
The padres purchased his contract in 1997, but he refused to sign, saying he'd only play for the yankees.
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Player: Irabu was touted as a superstar when he came to the u.s. From japan where he had achieved stardom
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Legend: Irabu had played for the yankees, texas rangers and montreal expo
He joined his dream club and helped them win world series crowns in 1998 and 1999.
But he struggled at times during his three seasons with the club and yankees owner george steinbrenner famously called him a 'fat toad'.
When irabu made his big league debut at yankee stadium on july 10,1997 the crowd buzzed with excitement, wearing 'typhoon irabu' t-shirts and eating sushi, which was sold alongside the hot dogs and beers.
Irabu retired the first six detroit batters, striking out four of them and showing a 96 mph fastball. He fanned nine in 6 2-3 innings and got the win.
When he walked off the mound in the seventh inning, yankees fans gave him a standing ovation.
Some even bowed with both hands over their heads, and irabu came out of the dugout for a curtain call.
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Tragedy: Irabu was found dead at a home in a wealthy los angeles suburb
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Signing: New york yankees owner george steinbrenner, right, welcomes japanese pitcher hideki irabu to yankee stadium in 1997
That, however, was perhaps his finest moment in the majors.
Before the 2000 season he was sent to the montreal expos. He played two years for the canadian club and another in texas before throwing his final big league pitch in 2002.
He played six seasons in the big leagues and went 34-35 with a 5.15 era.
Irabu's manager from his time in japan had said prophetically said when he moved to the u.s.: 'i'm glad he signed, but boy, i don't think it's gonna be good for the young lad.
'It's not a good situation. I just have a feeling.'
The 42-year-old, who is half-american and half-japanese, had a difficult time in his personal life after leaving the game.
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Prophecy: Irabu's former manager in japan had warned that he had a bad feeling about the move to the u.s.
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He had been arrested twice in the past three years after incidents involving alcohol. In may 2010 he was apprehended for drunken driving
Police said he was stopped after his car drifted outside of traffic lanes and he nearly collided with a parked car.
He posted $5,000 bail but it was not immediately clear whether he was criminally charged.
In 2008 he was arrested for assaulting a bar manager in japan after allegedly consuming 20 glasses of beer.
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