Kyle Kendrick to Japan?

Kyle Kendrick is a 23-year old pitcher for the Philedelphia Phillies.

Brett Myers decided that Kendrick should have a heart attack.

He orchestrated, with the help of manager Charlie Manuel (right) and even Kendrick's agent, a full trade to Japan that included Hendrick.

Of course none of this was real.

Not even the Japanese player (who is actually the Japanese competetive eater) is real.

But Kendrick was on the verge of tears when he was called into Manuel's office and was explained the specifics of the "trade."

The "trade" was taken to a whole new level when the Phillies staged a full press conference to announce the trade between the Phillies and a Japanese team.

And Kendrick did a good job of hiding his dissapointment during the interviews.  Even wondering, "Do they have good food in Japan?"

But as the press conference went on, Myers decided to add his own imput, saying quite loudly, "you got punk'd."

The young pitcher who was on the verge of tears just a few hours earlier, had never been so relieved in his life.

And he never felt more stupid than when he had the fact that the player he was traded for was Kobayashi, the former Japanese hotdog eating champion. (USA!)

So Phillies fans can rest easy knowing that their #3 pitcher is safe in his position.

I know Kendrick will.

The whole prank can be seen here.

I'm Joe W.