Former Phillies John Bowker, Scott Mathieson Help Push Yomiuri Giants to Title

Courtesy Scott Mathieson's Facebook

News from the far east is in today and it involves a couple of former-Phillies. Remember John Bowker and Scott Mathieson? Bowker, hitless in his short Phillies career, along with Mathieson, who was barely given a chance in three years with the Phillies, helped the Yomiuri Giants reach their 22nd Japanese Series title.

Bowker, whom the Phillies acquired from Pittsburgh in late August of 2011, went 0-for-13 as a pinch hitter in 12 games with the Phils. Mathieson, accumulated a 1-4 record and a 6.75 ERA over three seasons with the team. The Phillies released Bowker and Mathieson in January, 2012 and November, 2011, respectively.

Both players found their way to the Yomiuri Giants baseball club of Nippon Professional Baseball, Japan's premiere professional baseball league. Bowker batted .196/.267/.310 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI in 69 games. Mathieson went 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 40 games during the Japanese regular season.

On Saturday night, the Giants won the deciseive Game 6 of 7 over the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. During the series, John Bowker belted two home runs while Mathieson served as a strong set-up man by tossing a scoreless 8th inning to help aid the Giants to their 22nd title.

Here's a video of Bowker slamming a home run in Game 6. (Home run occurs at 1:23)

It seems like only Scott Mathieson turned out to do something good during the regular season. It would have been nice for the Phillies to have a guy come out of the bullpen and put up numbers like he did in Japan. Bowker, on the other hand, put up better numbers than he did in Philly, but they still come close to a little leaguer's.  Both became millionaires heading to Japan.

H/T to Beerleaguer.com

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.