Heralded as the Japanese Nolan Ryan and received the largest signing bonus in Yankees' franchise history with $8.5 million, Irabu was a major concern both on and off the field. Steinbrenner called Irabu a "fat toad" after he failed to cover 1st base during a Spring Training game in 1999 and eventually was traded after the season. Things did not turn out better playing in Canada as Irabu got himself alcohol poisoned the night before his scheduled start for the Expos. Irabu was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs. After a season with Texas, Major League teams told him sayonara. Pictured here is his card from the 1999 Pacific set, showing his enormous beer belly in Yankee pinstripes.