So we're all going to have some fun thumping the Twins for signing Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
Back in November 2010, when there was some question about where he'd end up, Nishioka received an endorsement from Bobby Valentine, the Red Sox manager who was Nishioka's manager a few years back in Japan.
Valentine told the Japan Times:: "I think in the right situation, if he stays healthy, he'll be a very good player. He would be something there aren't many of right now and that's a switch-hitting leadoff hitter. There are not many guys who do that in the major leagues."
Of course, Nishioka didn't stay healthy -- breaking his leg during the Twins' first road-trip last season, and he quickly went from grand idea to failed experiment.
Here's the rest of the Japan Times story from those happier, expectant days.
And if you want to see Nishioka's Twins career summarized in one play, here's an image from our TwinsCentric blog.
