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Word by Word in Lions
１９９８
December 28, 98
I've never felt so refreshed in my baseball career
"I've never felt so refreshed in my baseball career. I considered play in the corporate league if I couldn't play for Yokohama. However, I decided to take the offer (from Seibu) because I had strong feelings about playing pro. Now that is official, I'm relieved."
Dec. 28th, 1998 - At the official announcement with Siebu.
１９９９
April 7, 99
I trusted myself.
"I knew it would be OK once the game started. I've got a lot of suggestions from many people but I trusted myself. I will play carefully one pitch at the time."
April 7th, 1999 - He debuted his first pro game against Nippon Ham. He won his first victory in his pro career marvelously.
April 14, 99
There is always a next in pro even you lost a game.
"I wasn't satisfied, but I pitched in the way that I have a hope for next game. There is always a next in pro even you lost a game."
April 14th, 1999 - After his first loss as a pro even though he went the distance allowing only 3 hits and 2 runs.
April 27, 99
The fans have power but I have stamina, too.
"I heard the audience while I was pitching. The fans have power but I have stamina, too. Also, I paid back my debt. I didn't want to lose same team again."
April 27th, 1999 - He pitched a shutout against Lotte, to whom he had lost previously. It was his first shutout game as a pro.
May 16, 99
My confidence became a conviction.
"I was somewhat unsure before but now my confidence became a conviction."
May 16th, 1999 - After faced Ichiro (Orix) for the first time and struck him out with one walk.
July 31, 99
I can say, 'how about this!' to the people.
"I can say, 'how about this!' to the people who thought I couldn't win 10 games before the season. This is the first step. My next step is to keep winning one game at the time."
July 31st, 1999 - He won his 10th game as a pro against Lotte. It was the first time in 32 years that a rookie straight our of high school won 10 games.
October 28, 99
Anyhow, the home fans got very excited.
"Anyhow, the home fans got very excited. They went nuts when the time came but then they got quiet when they needed to."
Oct. 28th, 1999 - He came back from observing the World Series game in U. S.
December 1, 99
It is enough for me if I can go out to eat and buy some clothing.
"It is good if I can use a lot for baseball related things such as donating equipment to my old teams (Yokohama high school, Edogawa South Senior, and so on). I will buy some gift to my parents. It is enough for me if I can go out to eat and buy some clothing. "
Dec. 1st, 1999 - At his first contract renewal, his salary was increased from 13,000,000 yen to 70,000,000 yen.
December 13, 99
I don't want people to think that I'm on the spree doing TV commercials.
"I'll still play baseball next year and do my best to play well. I don't want people to think that I'm on the spree doing TV commercials."
Dec. 13th, 1999 - At the press conference announcing the TV commercial contract with 5 companies.
２０００
February 14, 00
I'll eat as much as I can.
"I like sweets. I'll eat as much as I can."
Feb. 14th, 2000 - He received about 1,200 chocolates on the Valentine's Day.
March 6, 00
4WD means 'Land Cruiser' to me
"4WD means 'Land Cruiser' to me. It is the car I always wanted to drive. I'm not obsessed about the foreign cars. 'How's the ride?' It's good."
Mar. 6th, 2000 - He showed off his first car, Toyota land Cruiser.
June 3, 00
we put our life on the ground
"I know the umpires are human beings too but we put our life on the ground like Mr. Ohshima said."
Jun. 3rd, 2000 - He was pulled in the middle of the 4th inning against Nippon Ham and complained uncharacteristically.
June 30, 00
It is OK because I wasn't really eager to make a record today.
"It is OK because I wasn't really eager to make a record today. I will save it for next time since I want to do it many times."
Jun. 30th, 2000 - After he just missed pitching a no-hitter allowing a hit in the 9th inning.
July 28, 00
I had a feeling that this might be it.
"Since my pitching was strong, I had a feeling that this might be it. That pitch was different. Thanks to Nori-san (Nakamura) who helped me. I'm so happy."
Jul. 28th, 2000 - He pitched a 97 miles/hour-fast ball at a Kintetsu game. It was his personal best record.
August 7, 00
I wanted to swing so bad.
"I was told not to hit. But I wanted to swing so bad."
Aug. 7th, 2000 - He pinch-hit against Orix for the first time at bat as a pro. He hit a timely single to center with two RBI.
２００２
November 24, 02
I'm not going.
"I'm not going. Hawaii is a place for the people who did a great job through out the year. I want to go there next year feeling good after winning a Nippon Series championship."
Nov. 24th, 2002 - He declined a victory trip to go Hawaii.
２００４
October 29, 04
I always thought that she is the one.
"I always thought that she is the one. I'm relying on her even though I should be the one who is relied upon."
Oct. 29th, 2004 - He announced his engagement with Tomoyo.
２００６
February 17, 06
I wanted to do it right without compromising even though it was hard.
"I wanted to do it right without compromising even though it was hard. The more I pitched, the better it got. I'm very satisfied."
Feb. 17th, 2006 - He threw 333 pitches in the bullpen. It was the most he has ever thrown.
06年3月14日
I'm here to promote Japan as number one.
"I think that the Major Leagues are the best stage to stand on and has always been my goal. But I'm not here to promote myself. I'm here to promote Japan as number one."
Mar. 14th, 2006 - Upon winning a game against Mexico, when an American reporter asked if he wanted to play in U.S.
March 20, 06
I wanted to throw in the middle with power.
"Cubans are known for fastballs. That made me pitch more fastballs to them. Instead of hitting corners, I wanted to throw in the middle with power."
Mar. 20th, 2006 - He pitched well against Cuba at the WBC final. He won the MVP.
June 9, 06
I counted 1-2-3 and swung away.
"I waited for a fastball. I counted 1-2-3 and swung away. I'm way more excited to hit a homerun in Koshien stadium than anywhere else. It was good that people were not booing. (laugh)"
Jun 9th, 2006 - He hit his first home run as a pro against Hanshin in Koshien. He also was the winning pitcher.
06年6月16日
Word by Word
"It could be done sooner."
Jun 16th, 2006 - He achieved his 100th win in his 191st game as a pro.
August 23, 06
I hope that they can feel my energy.
"There were a lot of fans including many children. When I pitch, I always pay attention to what is around me. I hope that they can feel my energy."
Aug. 23rd, 2006 - He was the winning pitcher against Lotte.
August 30, 06
Team wasn't so good though
"I feel good. I wanted to show my style like this. Team wasn't so good though."
Aug 30th, 2006 - After striking Kiyohara (Orix) out four straight times.
September 13, 06
I worry more about losing four times.
"I don't pay so much attention to wins. I worry more about losing four times."
Sep. 13th, 2006 - He won his 16th game - tying his personal best as a pro on his 26th birthday.
October 7, 06
I did it without even thinking
"I did it without even thinking because it was a very important game and I mentally pressured myself during the game."
Oct. 7th, 2006 - He shutout Softbank for a first play-off game and held up his fists uncharacteristically.
November 1, 06
I'm very grateful to the team for allowing me to use the Posting System.
"I can finally reach the goal that I have been thinking of since I was 10 years old. I'm very grateful to the team for allowing me to use the Posting System."
Nov. 1st, 2006 - He officially announced that he is leaving for the Major Leagues with Posting System.
November 15, 06
I personally want to pitch Ichiro-san.
"'Who I want to pitch to?' there is Matsui-san, but I personally want to pitch Ichiro-san."
Nov. 15th, 2006 - At the press conference after Red Sox got the sole negotiation rights.
