On December 23, 2007, Taguchi was signed to a one-year deal by the Philadelphia Phillies with an option for . Taguchi's numbers fell off sharply, his batting average dropping from .290 in 2007 to .220 in 2008, and he got only 91 at-bats for the whole season. However, he was included on Philadelphia's postseason roster and won his second championship ring when the Phillies won the 2008 World Series. (Taguchi was 0-for-4 pinch-hitting in the NLCS and did not appear in the World Series.) Shortly after winning the World Series, the Phillies decided to decline Taguchi's option and make him a free agent. Chicago Cubs (2009) Taguchi agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs for the season, and was invited to spring training. Taguchi was signed in part to provide a Japanese teammate for Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome. Taguchi did not make the Cubs roster and was optioned to Triple-A. After spending most of the season in the minors, Taguchi, who hit .248 with four home runs and 24 RBI in 85 games in the minors, was called up to the Cubs on September 16, 2009, replacing the injured Sam Fuld. He appeared in 12 games and got three hits in 11 at-bats. Japan (2010–2011) In January 2010 Taguchi's old team, the Orix BlueWave (since merged with the Kintetsu Buffaloes to form the Orix Buffaloes), announced that they had signed Taguchi to return and play for them in 2010. On July 31, 2012, Taguchi announced his retirement on his official blog. Baseball Commentator In September 2012, Taguchi embarked on a new career as a baseball commentator. By 2013, Taguchi was employed by Japanese broadcaster NHK to announce Major League Baseball games. Personal life Taguchi learned English from his wife, Emiko, a former television reporter who speaks it fluently. He also practiced by watching films such as Finding Nemo and Monsters, Inc. The family still owns a home in St. Louis. The couple has one son, Kan, who was born December 24, 2003. He is a member of the baseball team at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. References External links 1969 births Baseball players at the 2000 Summer Olympics Chicago Cubs players Japanese expatriate baseball players in the United States Kwansei Gakuin University alumni Living people Major League Baseball outfielders Major League Baseball players from Japan Memphis Redbirds players New Haven Ravens players Orix BlueWave players Orix