Tsuyoshi Nishioka’s Facebook Comment

Usually, Tsuyoshi Nishioka leaves his Facebook page up to someone else, but tonight he posted a message to the fans. Here is the English translation of it:

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Thank you for cheering all year!

I’m so sorry I was not able to return the favor at the very end.

The year started with an injury, but thanks to everyone’s support I was able to come back. I’m so thankful that I am able to don my uniform and play baseball!

But I am filled with regret as I think about how I lacked strength at the very end and was unable to please you all.

I wanted to win!

I wanted Hanshin to win!

I wanted to taste victory with all of you!

I take full responsibility for us not being able to win!

You do not have to sympathize with me.

You can chew me out if you want!

We play for a living, and it is because of all of you coming to the stadium to watch us, buying tickets and goods, that we are able to earn money and live!

So I will accept anything you have to say about me.

It’s my responsibility.

I just want to explain the last play of yesterday’s game from my perspective!

From the moment I hit the ball, I knew it was a double play ball.

I was fully aware of the rule that if the throw were to hit me while I was running inside the baseline, I would be called for interference!

Even when there is no runner on base, even when I am batting lefty, I run from inside the baseline towards the outer area. So knowing the rules and fearing that the ball I put in play was going to be a double play, I gambled on the slight possibility that if I ran from the inside of the line towards the outside area, right on the base line… “Come on, hit me!” I thought to myself as I was running!

I ran thinking that as long as my foot was outside the baseline when the ball hit me, that it was marginally a safe play. That’s why I did it!

That was the play from my perspective!

I know there will be some backlash from my way of thinking, but I wanted to be upfront with everyone so here I am posting on Facebook.

There are a lot of opinions about the play, and I accept them all!

But above all else, forget the running to first part, the fact that I did not get a hit on that play is my bad.

I just wanted to please the Hanshin fans, and I ended up doing the exact opposite of that!

I am terribly sorry for putting you all in a bad mood!!

Nippon Series Game 5 – SoftBank Hawks NPB Champions!

The heartbreak continues for Hanshin Tigers fans. A strong showing against the Yomiuri Giants and a brilliantly played Game 1 had fans hoping for the team’s first Nippon Series title since 1985. Instead, the SoftBank Hawks (particularly their pitching) silenced the Tigers and their fans, winning four straight while only allowing 4 runs in 37 innings in those games.

Tonight featured yet another battle of the pitchers. Hawks starter Tadashi Settsu had his curveball spinning just right and threw six shutout innings, striking out seven Tigers and inducing 8 ground outs. Randy Messenger pitched his heart out, getting out of jam after jam, with help from two outstanding catches by centerfielder Yamato. Despite throwing over 115 pitches, he was trotted out for the bottom of the eighth. He managed to get two outs and was a strike away from getting out of yet another jam, but Matsuda managed to punch one through the infield, scoring Yanagita easily from third base. The score after eight innings: 1-0 Hawks.

The ninth inning was not without its drama and controversy, though. Closer Dennis Sarfate walked Uemoto on four pitches before striking out Toritani. Gomez also took for bad pitches and walked to first, and Fukudome battled back from a 1-2 count to also walk. The bases were then loaded for designated hitter Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Any hit to the outfield would have tied the game. Unfortunately, he grounded out to first. The throw home was an easy second out, but the throw from the catcher to first caromed off Nishioka’s back, and he seemingly made it safely to first. Pinch runner Tagami scampered around third and beat the relay home, and it looked like a tie game. However, the umpires were quick to call baserunner interference on Nishioka, saying he was running inside the base path. You decide. (Full video of the play below.)

The Hawks were relieved, throwing hats in the air and charging the mound in celebration. The game was over, though Tigers manager Yutaka Wada ran out to protest the call (to no avail, naturally).

Earlier in the game, too, there seemed to be several calls in the Hawks’ favor. Murton attempted to steal second base in the third inning on what looked like a hit-and-run plan. He was called out and protested loudly and angrily, saying he was not tagged. Replays were inconclusive but he did appear to have a case. Uemoto subsequently got to first, attempted to steal as well, and was thrown out.

I will not say the umpires decided the series. They definitely made a questionable final call, and even seemed to lean towards the Hawks in many ball-strike calls, check swing calls and others. However, the Tigers’ silent bats were ultimately what did them in. Perhaps we need to credit the starting four pitchers who completely shut down the Tiger Nine: Takeda in Game 2, Ohtonari in Game 3, Higashihama (reliever) in Game 4 and Settsu in Game 5. Congratulations to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on their sixth “Nippon ichi” and their first in three years. What a fitting end to the career of manager Koji Akiyama.

It was a disappointing end to a thrilling season, though. The Tigers played their hearts out this year, sometimes thrilling fans, sometimes driving them nuts. Their incredible sweep of the Giants will be talked about for many years to come, and the way this series ended will also be a conversation topic for some time as well. In all, I applaud the organization, its staff and players. Well done, Tigers! Let’s take it all in 2015!

The final play of the 2014 season:

Game highlights, including two fine catches by Yamato and great pitching by Messenger:

Nippon Series Game 4 – SoftBank Win in Extras, Go Up 3-1

In a must-win situation, the Tigers mustered a mere four hits all night. With a huge chance to take the lead and tie the series at two, their RBI King grounded into a double play. With the game on the line in the bottom of the tenth, their Saves King gave up a 3-run walk-off home run. Akira Nakamura and the SoftBank Hawks won 5-2 in extra innings to push the Tigers to the brink of elimination.

The Tigers needed to avoid what they had done in their previous two games: giving up an early lead and not hitting in the first three innings. With Minoru Iwata (2.54 ERA on the season, 7 strong innings against the Giants) on the mound, the first part of the equation seemed like it would be solved. But whether or not the Tigers would solve Hawks starter Kenichi Nakata, especially after struggling mightily against Shota Takeda and Kenji Ohtonari in Games 2 & 3, was a concern.

Unfortunately, Iwata fell into the same hole as Nohmi and Fujinami did before him, giving up a leadoff double to Yanagita, then making a bad decision on Akashi’s bunt, resulting in two runners on base without a single out. He then walked the next batter, making things even worse. A strikeout later, he was a double play away from escaping the jam. Unfortunately, Matsuda drove a ball to left, scoring two. The team would face an early deficit in yet another game. The next batter also got a hit, but thanks to yet another incredible defensive play by centerfielder Yamato, the runner at the plate was thrown out, and one strikeout later, the Tigers came back up to bat for the second.

However, through three innings, the Tigers failed to find their bats (getting just one hit). This was not all bad news, as Nakata struggled badly with his control in the first and third. He walked the bases loaded with two outs in the first, and did so again in the third with one out. It was at this time that the Tigers managed to tie the game off a Matt Murton sacrifice fly and a Kosuke Fukudome single. His failed attempt to turn it into a double ended the inning.

Matt Murton gets brushed back by a pitch.

Iwata struggled again in the bottom of the third, allowing two base runners, but escaped without allowing another run. The Hawks brought in relief early, in the form of youngster Nao Higashihama. He held down the fort in the middle three frames, allowing just one hit and two walks, striking out three. Fortunately for the Tigers, the Hawks also failed to get anything going in the bottom of those frames, and the score remained 2-2 through six.

To the surprise of many, Iwata came out in the bottom of the seventh with the score tied. He had already thrown 109 pitches, and it would have been easy to replace him. He gave up a leadoff double down the left field line, but got out of the inning safely after inducing two grounders, intentionally walking Uchikawa and striking out Honda. Despite Iwata’s strong and courageous outing, the Tigers simply could not put runs on the board, and he left the game with the score tied at 2.

Nakamura’s walk-off home run in the 10th came after six straight scoreless innings. Tigers reliever Yuya Andoh, who had pitched a clean ninth, allowed a leadoff walk before a misplayed sacrifice bunt by Fujii put runners on first and second. (Update: Newspapers show a still shot of the runner actually being out at second.) He was pulled with one out. Closer Seung-hwan Oh got one out and appeared to be close to bailing Andoh out when the Pacific League hits leader took a 1-2 fastball for a long ride over the right field wall, just left of the foul pole.

The Hawks are now one victory away from winning the Nippon Series for the first time in three years. They will put Tadashi Settsu on the mound, while the Tigers will try to bring the series back to Koshien as Randy Messenger takes to the mound. Nothing is impossible, and the series is not over yet. Win or lose, Tigers Pride! GO TIGERS!

Nippon Series Game 3 – Ohtonari Dominates, Hawks Take 2-1 Series Lead

Graphic courtesy of Mr. Zornoff (see bottom right link). Used with permission.

“I wanna hold them as close to zero as I can.” — 20-year old Tigers’ starter Shintaro Fujinami, before the game. Unfortunately, the day off and change in venue did nothing to alter the outcome of Game 3. Like Atsushi Nohmi did in Game 2, Fujinami surrendered an early run and the Tigers bats never found themselves as Hawks starter Kenji Ohtonari threw seven innings of 3-hit ball, leading his team to a 5-1 win. The SoftBank Hawks now lead the series 2-1 and play the next two games in their home stadium.

Once again, two pitches was all it took for the Hawks to put a man on base. Yuki Yanagita hit a double and was brought home by Seiichi Uchikawa’s bat two men later. Fortunately for Fujinami, he escaped the inning without allowing any more damage, despite giving up one more hit to slugger Dae-Ho Lee.

Yoshimura runs all the way from second, scoring on a Fujinami wild pitch, making the score 2-0 in the 4th.

As the game wore on, it became painfully clear that the Hawks had all the momentum they needed, putting at least one man on base in each of the first four innings. Meanwhile, the Tigers managed just 2 runners in the first six innings, one of whom (Kosuke Fukudome‘s walk) was nullified by a Ryota Arai (DH) double play. The floodgates burst open in the bottom of the sixth, as the Hawks’ lead ballooned from 2 runs to 5 while they chased two pitchers (Fujinami and reliever Kazuya Takamiya) and battered another (Yuya Andoh).

Again in the seventh, the Tigers got a runner on (Hiroki Uemoto), only to hit into another double play (Takashi Toritani). Yet another man (Mauro Gomez) reached base but the team could not cash in on their chance.

In a somewhat surprising move, the Tigers brought youngster Hiroaki Saiuchi into the game for the bottom of the seventh, and he pitched two shutout innings, allowing just one hit. Unfortunately for the Tigers, time and at-bats were running out as they managed nothing in the eighth, and sent two more batters to the dugout sheepishly in the ninth.

Toritani singles against Sarfate to score Uemoto in the 9th. Photo taken from Sanspo.com

Finally with two outs, the bats showed some signs of life. Uemoto got another hit, this time taking two bases, giving the team its first real scoring chance. Toritani made no mistake, flaring a single to center, and breaking the Hawks’ shutout against their strong closer Dennis Sarfate. In the end, though, the veteran got the final out, inducing a weak pop-up to center from Gomez. Game over. Tigers lose, 5-1.

The series continues tomorrow in Fukuoka, with the Tigers bringing lefty Minoru Iwata to the mound. The Hawks are likely to respond with Kenichi Nakata. It is a must-win for the Tigers, as tying the series at 2 gives them home field advantage again. Let’s look for the men in pinstripes to make a strong comeback tomorrow evening. GO TIGERS!

 

Nippon Series – Who’s to DH in Games 3-5?

As most of you already know, the Nippon Series is tied 1-1 and is heading to Fukuoka for three games, where the Hawks will host the Tigers in the confines of YafuOku Dome. With the Pacific League team hosting, the rules change slightly as well. Instead of the pitcher getting an at-bat, each team designates one player to hit in his place for the whole game. He is called the designated hitter. (My apologies for writing very simply – most of you know the rule, but some don’t!)

The Tigers normally do not enjoy this luxury, but the Hawks do, so they already have a few players who are accustomed to sitting on the bench all game except for those 4-5 at-bats. So the question, then, is this: Whom should the Tigers employ as their designated hitter in this series?

Naturally, one strategy they will consider is using a hitter who bats from the opposite side as the pitcher throws, that is, a right-handed batter against a left-handed pitcher, and vice-versa. Game 3 sees that Hawks starting lefty Kenji Ohtonari, so the Tigers will likely use a right-handed hitter as their DH. Games 4-5 will likely feature right-handed pitchers for the Hawks (perhaps Settsu and Nakata, and if they go with a shortened rotation, Standridge will go instead of one of the above – either way, two righties). In this case, the odds of the Tigers using a lefty as their DH increase.

Here is a list of all the players currently on the bench for the Tigers. First, the righties: Takahiro Arai, Ryota Arai, Keisuke Kanoh, Kentaro Sekimoto, Shunsuke, Ryutaro Umeno, and the catcher they don’t start – either Kazunari Tsuruoka or Akihito Fujii. Next, the lefties: Fumiya Araki, Ryota Imanari, Hayata Itoh, Katsuhiko Saka, Kohei Shibata.

Of these, the likely candidates are the Arais, Kanoh, Sekimoto, Imanari and Itoh. I have read various columns and forums, and it seems like beyond these men, other options lie. For one, several of these players are capable third basemen, and since it is not Tsuyoshi Nishioka‘s (switch hitter) natural position, there is talk of him being the DH while one of these guys plays third. Another possibility is giving Matt Murton (righty) and his sore legs some rest, letting him DH while someone else patrols left field.

So the question is, which righty and lefty do you think are most suited for the DH role in these three games? Feel free to vote on these two polls and explain your votes in the comments!

Nippon Series Game 2 – The Hawks Claw Back

Courtesy of Fernando Zornoff at Cargo Collective. Used with permission.

In October, everything has been coming up Tigers. They won their last game of the regular season on October 1, watched the Carp hand second place to them by losing their final game, won their best-of-3 against those same Carp despite scoring just one run in 21 innings, and then swept the Giants in their own barn. They also took Game 1 with relative ease, scoring 6 runs off their former teammate Jason Standridge, despite being shut out by him earlier in the year.

With Atsushi Nohmi on the mound, the game got off to a rough start. A leadoff single by Yanagita was followed by a sacrifice bunt and an RBI single by Seiichi Uchikawa. Before two outs could be recorded, the Tigers were in the hole. Somehow, Nohmi kept his pitch count low despite giving up three hits in the first three innings. In the fourth, Korean slugger Dae-Ho Lee smashed a ball over the left field fence, giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead.

Photo taken from Sponichi Annex.

Meanwhile, the Tigers bats fell silent. Through 5 2/3 innings, starting pitcher Shota Takeda was perfect. It took a Keisuke Kanoh pinch-hit single to break the perfect game. This was followed by a Tsuyoshi Nishioka RBI double to right, and the score was close and hopes ran high. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they were unable to cash in as Uemoto feebly grounded out to second base. They got opportunities in each of the final three innings, but could not bring the tying run across the plate. Takashi Toritani, who had two hits in the game, was caught stealing in the seventh, Uemoto flied out to center in the eighth with runners on first and second, and the combination of Gomez, Murton and Fukudome failed to capitalize on a leadoff hit by Toritani.

The final result is a 2-1 loss for the Tigers and a tied series heading off to Fukuoka. Tomorrow is a travel day and Game 3 starts at 6:30pm on Tuesday, at YafuOku Dome. Let’s hope the Tigers, who were limited to just 5 hits in this one, can find their bats against (perhaps) Kenji Ohtonari. The Tigers are putting their hopes in young ace Shintaro Fujinami. Let’s GO TIGERS! Steal one back in Game 3!

Blogger’s Note: I personally would not have gone with Nohmi in Game 2. He did not have a great season and struggled mightily against the Giants in his last outing. He allowed 10 baserunners in 5 innings in that one, and although he only allowed six in six innings tonight, he struggled right from the start, giving up two hits and a run in his first five pitches. My lone explanation for not starting Minoru Iwata instead would be that he is a poor hitter, and starting him when the DH rule is in place, i.e. at YafuOku Dome, was the logical choice. Still, I would have liked to have seen him on the mound tonight. Not that Nohmi’s results were that poor, mind you… his game ERA was 3.00… the team simply did not generate any offence.

Nippon Series Game 1 – Tigers Roar!

Graphic created by http://cargocollective.com/fzornoff Used with permission. Thank you!

History was made at Koshien Stadium tonight. For the first time ever, two foreigners were named starting pitchers of Game 1 of the Nippon Series. This one was supposed to be a low-scoring battle between Randy Messenger and Jason Standridge. Both had great seasons, and Standridge even shut out the Tigers at Koshien earlier this year. It turns out, another foreigner stole the show as this one had more offence than many expected.

Both pitchers looked dominant early, and this one looked like it could be a repeat of the Tigers-Carp series. Through three innings plus the top of the fourth, there were only two hits recorded. Standridge got beaten by his buddy Matt Murton, and Messenger allowed a bloop single to Imamiya.

Then things opened up in the 4th. Hiroki Uemoto opened the inning with a single, making up for his error in the bottom of the previous frame. Two batters later, Central League RBI champ Mauro Gomez came up and smoked the first pitch he saw to deep left, bringing Uemoto home easily. That first run had the crowd ecstatic, but that was merely the run that broke open the floodgates.

Murton got the best of his buddy Standridge, driving in 2 in the fifth. Photo taken from Sanspo.com

In the next inning, with two runners on, Standridge was starting to lose his control. He walked Toritani, loading the bases for the most dangerous hitter in Japan. Gomez struck again, this time sending a ball back between short and third, scoring two. Murton avenged his fourth-inning strikeout, sending a ball to the deepest part of center field, bringing Toritani and Gomez home. Standridge left, but that was not the end of it. Kosuke Fukudome singled, and the Tigers built up a 6-0 lead.

With just twelve outs left in them, the Hawks started to mount a little comeback. Messenger got in a little trouble as he allowed three singles in the top of the sixth. A sacrifice fly brought in SoftBank’s first run, and the first walk for the visitors loaded the bases back up again. Fortunately the damage was limited to that. Then in the seventh, a leadoff double (which looked foul but went off Nishioka‘s glove) was followed by a sacrifice and a single, but Messenger settled down to get the next two runners and the score was 6-2 after 7.

Messenger lets out a shout as he escapes a jam in the 7th.

That was all for either side, as no one put a man on base in the last two frames. Shinobu Fukuhara pitched a clean eighth, and Seung-hwan Oh closed things off in the ninth, ending it with a strikeout. Great game all-around.

Word has it that tomorrow’s starters will be Atsushi Nohmi for the Tigers and Shota Takeda for the Hawks. This is still unconfirmed so we’ll have to wait until game day to find out for sure. Let’s see what happens in Game 2… same time, same place! GO TIGERS!

Nippon Series Preview: Tigers vs. Hawks

Scheduled Games & Possible Starters:

GAME 1: Saturday, October 25, 6:15 pm (Koshien Stadium):

Randy Messenger (13-10) vs. Jason Standridge (11-8)

GAME 2: Sunday, October 26, 6:15 pm (Koshien Stadium):

Minoru Iwata (9-8) vs. Kenji Ohtonari (3-1)

GAME 3: Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 pm (YafuOku Dome):

Shintaro Fujinami (10-7) vs. Shota Takeda (3-3)

GAME 4: Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 pm (YafuOku Dome):

Atsushi Nohmi (9-13) vs. Tadashi Settsu (10-8)

GAME 5*: Thursday, October 30, 6:30 pm:

Randy Messenger (13-10) vs. Kenichi Nakata (11-7)

GAME 6*: Saturday, November 1, 6:15 pm (Koshien Stadium):

Minoru Iwata (9-8) vs. Jason Standridge (11-8)

GAME 7*: Sunday, November 2, 6:15 pm:

Shintaro Fujinami (10-7) vs. Kenji Ohtonari (3-1)

* If necessary

Record This Season:

@ Koshien Stadium: Tigers 1, Hawks 1

@ YafuOku Dome: Tigers 1, Hawks 1

Total: Tigers 2, Hawks 2

Typical Postseason Lineups:

Hanshin Tigers

Name (Pos)	AB	R	H	RBI	AVG
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (3B)	19	4	7	2	.368
Hiroki Uemoto (2B)	15	6	5	1	.333
Takashi Toritani (SS)	17	4	7	3	.412
Mauro Gomez (1B)	16	2	6	8	.375
Matt Murton (LF)	15	1	4	5	.267
Kosuke Fukudome (RF)	14	1	4	2	.286
A. Fujii / K. Tsuruoka (C)	15	0	1	0	.067
Yamato (CF)	13	1	3	0	.231
Pitcher/Pinch Hitter	13	2	3	0	.231

 

 

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

Name (Pos)	AB	R	H	RBI	AVG
Yuki Yanagita (CF)	25	3	7	3	.280
Kenji Akashi (2B)	23	4	7	0	.304
Seiichi Uchikawa (LF)	26	4	7	4	.269
Dae-Ho Lee (1B)	20	1	8	4	.400
Nobuhiro Matsuda (3B)	26	3	9	2	.346
Akira Nakamura (RF)	19	1	2	0	.105
Yuki Yoshimura (DH)	21	2	5	6	.238
Kenta Imamiya (SS)	22	1	3	1	.136
Toru Hosokawa (C)	14	1	6	1	.429

Top Players:

AVG: Tigers: Matt Murton (.338); Hawks: Yuki Yanagita (.317)

HR: Tigers: Mauro Gomez (26); Hawks: Dae-ho Lee (19)

SB: Tigers: Hiroki Uemoto (20); Hawks: Yuki Yanagita (33)

Wins: Tigers: Randy Messenger (13); Hawks: Jason Standridge, Kenichi Nakata (11)

Holds: Tigers: Shinobu Fukuhara (38); Hawks: Ryota Igarashi (44)

Saves: Tigers: Seung-hwan Oh (39); Hawks: Dennis Sarfate (37)

What to Watch for:

• The Tigers have gone 5-0-1 this postseason, and seem to be getting stronger with each game. After a power outage in the first two games against the Carp, the team compiled 21 runs in 4 games against the Giants.
• The Hawks, meanwhile, have gone 3-3 in the postseason, advancing thanks to the one-game advantage they held over the Fighters because they clinched the regular season title. They won games 1, 4 and 6, and have not won back-to-back games since September 5-6 (unless you count the last regular season game and the first playoff game, which were 13 days apart).
• Projected Game 1 starter Messenger is 0-2 with a 6.55 ERA against the Hawks this season. He lost on the road on May 23, giving up 3 ER in 6 IP, and then surrendered 5 ER in 5 IP at home on June 9. It wouldn’t have mattered, as his counterpart, former Tiger Jason Standridge, pitched a 3-hit complete game shutout that day.
• Speaking of Standridge, he and close buddy Matt Murton face each other in the playoffs for the first time ever. It should be an exciting matchup. Watch for it in Game 1 and possibly later in the series as well!
• Tigers closer Seung-hwan Oh may have to face fellow countryman Dae-Ho Lee in crucial situations as well. The Korean slugger has gone 8-for-25 in his career against Oh, including 1-for-1 this season.
• The Tigers finished September/October with a 14-13 record, while the Hawks stumbled to a 9-14-1 record, including a 6-14 finish in their last twenty games.
• Games 1-2, 6-7, which will be played at Koshien Stadium, will employ Central League rules, i.e. no designated hitter. This will not be a problem for the Tigers, as they have lived without a DH for much of the season. The Hawks, on the other hand, will send completely inexperienced pitchers to the plate for four games. They also will need to use strategy about when to pull their pitcher as they consider his turn at the plate.
• Games 3-5 will be played at YafuOku Dome, and will allow both teams to use a designated hitter. The Tigers have plenty of hitters who can fill the role, though they are not accustomed to spending most of the game on the bench, waiting passively for their turn at the plate. Possible DH’s include Ryota Arai, Takahiro Arai, and possibly Ryota Imanari, if he is deemed healthy enough to play. They could also use Nishioka as the DH and put one of the Arai brothers (or Imanari) at third base.

My prediction: Tigers in 6

Article Translation – 5th Time’s a Charm for “Mr. Autumn”

The original article can be found here 元の記事はこちら by Shinya Komatsu

photo taken by Nobuo Nakajima

Breaking the curses of the past. He wants to experience “that moment” – winning the Japan Series – and prove that the “fifth time’s a charm.” On the 22nd, Hanshin outfielder Kosuke Fukudome had his eyes on the prize – his first championship.

“The past is in the past. This year is this year. It’s important for me to stay on top of things. I want to be focused on the games at hand.”

While a member of the Chunichi Dragons, the team made it to the Japan Series four times but because of injuries, he only actually played in his rookie year (1999) and in 2006. He was unable to overcome various obstacles in those two years. Now in his second year back in Nippon Professional Baseball, the opportunity has presented itself again. What a feeling to be back on the big stage!

He’s in great shape, too. In the First Stage of the Climax Series (CS) against Hiroshima, he gave the team great momentum with his game-winning home run in the oh-so-important Game 1 at Koshien. In the Final Stage he was also able to hit a bomb, tallying two RBIs.

This season his numbers left something to be desired, as he hit .253 with 9 HRs and 34 RBI, but in 21 September games, he exploded, hitting .357 (25-for-70) with 4 HRs and 13 RBIs. The veteran has hit his stride at just the right time as the team prepares for the championship round. On this day, he was working on his swing.

“Just trying to get rid of fatigue but also do what I have to do (to be ready).”

He’s been hitting well behind the clean-up hitters, batting sixth. His bat will no doubt be a huge factor in determining which team wins. If “Mr. Autumn” can break free from his own history, he will simultaneously write a new page into the Tigers’ history books.

Article Translation – Murton to Standridge: “Throw it in the zone!”

The original article can be found here 元の記事はこちら by Yusuke Abe

Ring the bell already! Hanshin outfielder Matt Murton (33) revealed on the 21st that he and SoftBank pitcher Jason Standridge (35) have been duking it out over the ‘Net. There’s a good chance the former Tiger righty will start Game 1 on the 25th. The Tigers lost their game against him in inter-league play, but this time they’re ready! Meanwhile, SoftBank hurler Kenji Ohtonari (29) says he has been studying up on Hanshin infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka (30) as he prepares his strategy for the Japan Series.

The war of words started with a congratulatory message. The fingers pressing the smartphone keys are heating up! Murton vs. Standridge. As the Tiger faithful’s anticipation has grown, so too has the exchange.

Murton: “Congrats.”

Yesterday on the 20th, that was the “warning shot” telegram sent to Standridge as his team advanced to the Japan Series. Since the days when they were both donning the pinstripes, the two have been friends both on and off the field. Talks turned to the Koshien game on June 9th. The Tigers tasted defeat as Standridge held them to 3 hits in a complete-game shutout. Even the front office, who released him due to the 4-foreigner limit rule felt humiliation that night. Murton himself went 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts. He got burned by Standridge’s outside curveball – a pitch that starts as a strike but ends up a ball.

Standridge: “You keep swinging at that pitch, so I keep throwing it. I’ll keep throwing it and you’ll keep missing!”

Murton: “I dare you to throw one in the strike zone!”

When it comes to baseball, these two are serious to a fault. It’s a clash of the titans. Come to think of it, this started back on March 4th as the teams played an exhibition game at Yafuoku Dome. Stan provoked him saying, “I’m gonna throw right at your backs!” To which Murton replied, “If you do, I’ll take you down outside after the game!” They prodded each other on over the phone.

“He threw some good pitches in inter-league play. The cutter and stuff. But we’ll win the Japan Series. We’re headed to the top.”

Murton was emphatic. In the Climax Series (CS) the team broke out with 5 wins and a tie. He alluded to the Royals, who advanced to the World Series without losing a single playoff game, their first WS in 29 years.

“The last time we won it all was 1985, was it? Same as the Royals, then. They’re gonna win theirs. We gotta do the same.”

He used to dream of being a world champion. He liked the late Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett, who had 2304 career hits. He won the batting title, RBI crown and the World Series in 1991. He was also enthusiastic about charity work, something Murton holds in common with him.

In Game 4 of the CS Final Stage against the Giants, Murton opened the scoring with a 3-run home run in the first. “I’ve stayed in Japan longer this year than in years past. I gotta do what I gotta do to win the Japan Series.” The “battle off the field” (by text message) is over. All that’s left to do is win it on the field.

A little about Standridge’s CG vs. Tigers

On June 9 of this year at Koshien during inter-league play, Standridge was named the starting pitcher against the team he had played with for 4 years. In the 4th inning with one out and runners on first and second, he struck out Murton and Gomez in succession, held the Tigers bats to 3 hits and earned a complete game victory (6-0). Used to the confines of Koshien, he smirked, saying, “It felt like a home game.” As he conducted the hero interview, Tigers fans could be heard saying, “Come back, Standridge!”