Professional baseball Doosan Bears’ Shirakawa Keisho (23) expressed his feelings about joining a new team.
Shirakawa joined the team before a game against KT Wiz in the “2024 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League” held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on Sunday, and had his first greetings with coach Lee Seung-yeop, the coaching staff and the team. Afterwards, he played catch and other games, and conducted his first team training session at Doosan.
Shirakawa, who signed a six-week 1.8 million yen (about 15.36 million won) contract with SSG as a substitute for the injury of SSG foreign pitcher Roenis Elias, was from the Japanese independent league and had both expectations and concerns, but showed his potential by recording two wins, two losses and a 5.09 ERA in five games (23 innings). When Elias returned to the team, SSG agonized over Elias and Shirakawa, but eventually chose Elias. Shirakawa, who left SSG, signed a total of 4 million yen (about 34.14 million won) with Doosan, which was looking for a foreign pitcher to replace Brandon Waddell’s injury, and played a little more in the KBO League.
In an interview before the game, Lee said, “I came to Korea well, and I’ve done well so far. I hope that through Landers and our team, I can take a good step forward and join the NPB. It’s a short period of time, but I hope they do well.” “I think I can have free talk with Shirakawa. I was in Japan for eight years.”
Shirakawa said, “Coming to Doosan, I felt that all the players were kind. They are all doing well. I thought that in order to go to NPB, it would be better to produce better results in the KBO league than to return to the independent league. Tokushima (Japan’s independent league) president and team owner also came to Korea and advised me that since scouts will not come to watch the independent league in July, it would be more advantageous to play in Korea. Actually, before the season, I never thought that I would come to Korea. I think I am doing well, except that I have difficulty communicating verbally right now. I will do my best no matter the circumstances.”
When Lee was an active pro baseball player, he played for the Chiba Lotte, Yomiuri and Orix Buffaloes in Japan from 2004 to 2011. “Coach Lee was a legend in Japan. That’s why I heard that he is good at Japanese,” Shirakawa said. “However, when I was talking about him earlier, he simply greeted me. I have never seen him in person as I have only watched a Japanese pro baseball game once. I only watched it on video.”
Shirakawa, who parted ways with SSG through good memories, even mentioned Choi as the most impressive hitter in Korea in an interview with Japanese media. However, he may now have to deal with SSG, where Choi Jeong is currently holding out. Shirakawa said, “As a person, if possible, I would rather not play against SSG. My first team in Korea was SSG, and they gave me a good farewell party. As a player, I am more grateful than just wanting to win. However, now that I am a member of the Doosan Bears, I have to do my best to win the game. I will do my best under any circumstances.”
Shirakawa, who stayed in Korea during the waivers announced by SSG, also watched the KBO League All-Star Game. When asked about the most interesting scene in the All-Star Game, Shirakawa said, “I watched a bit of the All-Star Game,” which made people laugh. Choi Jeong played in the Home Run Derby but never hit a home run. Choi said, “I thought he knew the comedian,” when Choi announced his home run at the All-Star Game but was caught for catcher foul fly.
Shirakawa is leaving SSG, but he is receiving a lot of support. Shirakawa said, “It really gives me strength to have fans supporting me like this. I’m always grateful. I also thank you very much for your support in other teams. I ask for your continued support 룸알바. Thank you very much.” He then said to Doosan fans, “I will do my best and contribute to the team’s victory. I will quickly become a member of the Doosan Bears and show you a good performance. I ask for your support in number 11.”
