Hara’s departure is the key…Batting average in the 10% range and appearances have dropped dramatically! Seiji Kobayashi, who has fallen from the regular catcher’s position, is still valued by the Giants for a surprising reason.

Kobayashi said, “This is the kind of result I’ve achieved in a poor outing. I am very sorry to the fans.

Tatsunori Hara, manager of the Giants, expressed his frustration after the team suffered an upset loss against Chunichi on September 30, confirming their second consecutive B-Class finish. The previous day, owner Juichi Yamaguchi was asked by the press about Hara’s departure after the second year of his three-year contract, and he said, “I have to think seriously about it. The atmosphere was delicate as to whether or not Hara would continue to lead the team next season.

I think Yamaguchi’s comment was a rebuke to Hara for the upcoming season. He is the manager who has been given full authority. However, if the fans’ reaction is too strong, there is no denying the possibility that he will be dismissed in the middle of the season. It could be considered an ad-balloon statement to see how the public reacts.

Two traffic accidents that made a bad impression

There is one player whose life may be greatly affected by Hara’s departure. That player is former regular catcher Seiji Kobayashi (34).

Kobayashi has been unable to overcome his hitting problems, and his opportunities to play have declined dramatically. In 2005, when he won the Golden Glove Award, he played in 138 games, but this season he has played in only 21 games (as of October 2). His batting average is .125 with 8 hits and no home runs or runs batted in. This is in contrast to Takuzo Oshiro, who took over Kobayashi’s job as regular catcher, who is batting in the high .200s and has hit double-digit home runs.

He may be difficult to handle as a coach. He has a strong sense of principle and sometimes does not follow the instructions of the coaches and rebels against them. It is also true that he has had many troubles. In January 2007 and August 2008, he was involved in two car accidents. The first time, he collided with a stopped car in Osaka Prefecture. The second time, he was making a left turn in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, when he collided with a bicycle.

Kobayashi’s four-year contract with the Giants is expected to expire this offseason. Kobayashi’s four-year contract with the Giants is expected to expire this offseason, and while he may have the option of transferring to another team, most observers believe that it will not be that easy.

Kobayashi’s high salary, estimated at 100 million yen, will be a bottleneck. It is hard to imagine a team willing to pay that much for a player who has not played much in the past few years. On the other hand, Kobayashi has a reputation for his leading and catching. The Giants will not easily let him go, fearing that he will be reinvented at his new team.

Kobayashi is facing a harsh reality. He seems to understand his predicament, and recently there has been a change in his behavior on the bench.

He is actively talking to Yukinori Kishida, the No. 2 catcher, and to pitchers who have been hit by pitches. I think he is analyzing the opposing team in his own way and giving them mental advice after they make mistakes. This “battery coach” attitude is highly appreciated by the team.

Also, young Shinnosuke Yamase is making progress, but he has yet to establish himself in the first team. Kobayashi is expected to play a role as the third catcher. In modern baseball, it is common to have three catchers. Kobayashi’s experience and defensive ability are still needed. The fact that he is the second most popular catcher after Hayato Sakamoto in terms of merchandise sales is also a major contribution to the team.

Even with his reduced opportunities to play, Kobayashi seems to be surprisingly valuable to the Giants. However, as mentioned earlier, Kobayashi’s future may be greatly affected by the departure of manager Hara.

It is certain that manager Hara prefers a catcher who can hit, and he is using Oshiro. But that does not mean that he is neglecting the catcher’s defensive ability or his ability to lead. Hara understands Kobayashi’s presence and ability on the bench, even if he doesn’t play in games. He believes that Kobayashi’s strength is necessary to nurture the younger players.

If Hara were to dismiss him, I don’t know what would happen to Kobayashi’s treatment. …… In the worst case, he may be judged as ‘not needed as a competitive force.

The Giants are said to be in a slump, having finished in the B class for two consecutive years. Kobayashi may be considered “necessary only in difficult times” or “a player for a generational change. Kobayashi is likely to face a tense off-season.