In other words, Ichiro is Japan’s biggest star. Of course, he seems to have been slightly behind Ohtani these days. However, there is no denying that he is a legendary figure.
After retirement, such a world star has something to do with his life. He devoted himself to amateur baseball. He visits elementary, middle and high schools across the country and opens baseball classrooms in a guerrilla manner. He often breaks the classroom window (with a mulch machine) while batting practice.
Among them, there is a special event. It is a competition against a team of high school girls. He leads his own team, Kobe Chiben, to play regular games once a year.
It’s not a clumsy local baseball. The venue is Tokyo Dome. There will be a public TV broadcast here. It will be broadcast live across the country in real time. It is said to be higher than most professional baseball viewership.
The members of the team also joined the team two years ago. Daisuke Matsuzaka joined the team. That means there are only two players from the Major League. Of course, no matter how much Matsuzaka plays, his position as a pitcher is unimaginable. He should be satisfied with his position as a shortstop. He has a built-in ace in his team.
Ichiro, who also serves as the owner and manager of the team, never hands over the ball. He throws everything by himself from the 1st to the 9th inning. Even if he twisted his back or gets muscle pain in his calf. There is no giving up in the middle. He limps his legs but goes all the way. That’s the spirit this game seeks.
The scores of the three matches were 1-0 (2021), 7-1 (2022), and 4-0 (2023). Ichiro has won complete games (two shutouts) for the third consecutive year.
Such a regular game will take place on Tuesday. Training is underway two days before the game begins. A little later, an absolute player (owner and manager) will appear. All the players are in a swing state. “Let’s do it properly today as well,” Ichiro will start practicing in earnest.
Running and stretching are over. It’s a break time using interludes. Ichiro approaches Matsuzaka. I think there’s something to say. It’s a conversation we have while changing to a spike.
Ichiro “When Daisuke (Matsuzaka) calls Matsui, can he say ‘Matsui Sang’?” That makes it easier for juniors. It ends with ‘Matsui Sang’. It’s hard for me.”
Matsuzaka “Oh, yes.”
This is a story of a new teammate. Hideki Matsui, who played for the Yomiuri Giants and the New York Yankees, will join the Kobe Chiben starting this year. He also promised to play in a game with the starting team of girls’ high school girls on Sunday. He is agonizing over the issue of names.
Ichiro said, “Something’s difficult. It’s okay if they’re the same age, but it’s not easy to be a year apart. But I can’t call it Hideki (Matsui’s name)….”
Matsuzaka “I know. The person who calls the Matsui Award ‘Hideki’….”
Ichiro, “Isn’t America Hideki?”
Matsuzaka, “Have you met after a long time?”
Ichiro (last time I saw him) was when I was with the Yankees….”
Ichiro Ichiro was born on Oct. 22, 1973. Matsui is a little late. He was born on June 12, 1974. Coincidentally, he is now 50 years old (since Ichiro’s birthday has not passed). However, he is in his first year in terms of grade level. The same applies to his high school graduation year and draft (he joined the team as a professional).
However, they did not seem to have had much interaction. The same goes for Ichiro when he was talking about the Yankees. Matsui was not there while playing for the New York Giants (2012-2014). In 2009, he moved to the Los Angeles Angels. He moved to Oakland and Tampa Bay before retiring in 2012.
I have never met him in the national team. This is because Matsui did not play in the WBC. 스포츠토토
Matsuzaka “Let’s just say ‘Hideki’ naturally, right? I’m curious about Matsui’s reaction at that time.”
The two of them burst out laughing together.
Ichiro “Right. Matsui lives in the U.S. right now. So, can’t you call him Hideki?”
It doesn’t stop here. A big star is going into a gag mode for the first time in a long time.
Ichiro said, “You know, how about calling me ‘Godzilla’ (Matsui’s nickname) after a long time? You don’t have ‘Mr. Koji’, do you? ‘Mr. Zilla’. Isn’t this a little new?”
Matsuzaka giggles and falls. However, the opponent is quite serious. “Matsui Award” is awkward, too, but…. This is a pretty difficult problem.” I can’t help but look worried.
Meanwhile, Ichiro decided to wear No. 51 uniform in the upcoming event. He has been wearing the No. 1 ace for three years until last year. However, he decided to return to his uniform number when he was an active player this year. Probably, he got the idea from the fact that he will soon mark his 51st birthday.
