Shunsuke Watanabe World Baseball Classic Autographed shoes

Date2006

DescriptionGlossy white leather shoes with blue and red detailing on both inner and outer sides. Right shoe has a light gray suede toe panel extending to the middle of the foot. Oversize tongues have gold and black embroidered manufacturer logos. Each shoe has intact white laces. Soles of each shoe have "Korry Bottom" stamped in the leather with metal spikes on toe and heel areas. Left shoe's outer side has Japanese lettering along with "31," "2006.3.20" and "Watanabe" handwritten in black ink. Right shoe has "2006.3.20," "31," "Japan," and Japanese lettering handwritten in black ink.

Bio/Historical NoteJapan's Shunsuke Watanabe had these special shoes made to accommodate his unique delivery. These shoes were made for, but not used in, the 2006 World Baseball Classic. A submarine pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League, Watanabe has such a low release point in his delivery that his right leg scrapes against the ground as he finishes his motion. During the 2006 World Baseball Classic, he pitched three relief innings in Japan's 10-6 championship win over Cuba, and tallied a 1.98 WBC ERA. Japan defeated Cuba 10-6 to be crowned the first champion of the World Baseball Classic.

Object numberB-2006-0098

Artist, Creator, or Manufacturer Mizuno Kabushiki Kaisha

Subject Watanabe, Shunsuke, 1976-

Subject Chiba Lotte Marines (Baseball team)

Attributes

Classificationssports and athletic equipment

Dimensions4.5 x 4.5 x 12 in.

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