Special Interview] Shintaro Fujinami reveals the secret of his awakening: “I used to hate the word ‘mental’…”

All″ drama″.

When Fujinami took the baton at the end of the game, he had one thing on his mind: getting the first strike.

How many innings, whether there were runners on, the score difference, and the game difference are all “dramas” (……). It’s happening in a world outside of you, so it’s ‘nothing you can do about it. It’s something you don’t have to think about. Think about what you can do to increase your chances of keeping opposing hitters at bay, and focus on that.

The sports media pointed out that he had changed his grip on the ball, that he had started to use a pitch tunnel, and other technical changes, but Fujinami shook his head and said, “It’s one factor, but it’s not that simple. What he changed was his “way of thinking.

He breathed well, used the same form as usual, and got the first strike without hesitation, making the count one ball to two strikes with three pitches. By repeating the “pitching with the lowest batting average,” which is backed by data, Fujinami’s rapid ascent began.

The “Nasty” fastballs of over 160 km/h and splits of nearly 150 km/h thrown up the middle and high without hesitation made the major leaguers jump up and down. Before he knew it, he had become the winning pitcher for the Athletics.

In mid-July, after a game in which the Athletics were feeling a definite sense of confidence, they were called into the manager’s office and told by Mark Kotsay, 48, the manager of the Athletics, “FUJI, Baltimore, Baltimore.

FUJI, you will be traded to Baltimore. Pack your things today and leave first thing tomorrow.

He poured Kotzei’s favorite whiskey, which was in the manager’s office, into a shot glass, and the pitching coach, trainer, and interpreter joined him in a toast to the success of FUJI. We all clinked our glasses together.

The Orioles are in first place today. The Orioles are in first place today, and they have a shot at the World Series. Good luck,'” he shook his hand and gave him a hug and said, “I’m very happy to have been able to experience the mid-season trade. I even got to experience a mid-season trade, so it was a really intense year (laughs).

After returning to Japan in late October, Fujinami went straight to his parents’ house in Osaka. After returning to Japan in late October, Fujinami went straight home to his parents’ house in Osaka, where he toasted to his mother’s favorite dish, cabbage rolls.

In his first year in the majors, Fujinami went 7-8 with 5 holds and 2 saves. With the Orioles, he contributed to a district championship, something that Shohei Ohtani (29) had never experienced.

His acquaintances praised his efforts and congratulated him on his “triumphant return,” but Fujinami himself laughed, saying, “It’s a strange feeling.

I didn’t do well at all, and I didn’t get a good result,” he said with a wry smile. My parents didn’t mention my performance, but just said, ‘Welcome back’ (laughs). I think their honest reaction was, ‘I’m glad you were able to play without injury. As a parent, that is.

Fujinami became an FA at the end of the season and is now waiting for an offer. His agent, Scott Boras, said, “Many teams are interested.

I’m glad I made it to the majors, even though I didn’t do well enough to be proud of my performance. All of my failures have been good experiences. ‘High, wide! I was surprised at the difference in the strike zone. I was surprised at the difference in the strike zone. I think I will be able to start the next season with a certain degree of composure. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of things I will learn.

With the Osaka Toin and Hanshin teams, Fujinami says he “dared to jump into places higher than my own level and grew by struggling. Now, on the pinnacle stage of Major League Baseball, his dormant potential is coming into play.

From the December 22 issue of FRIDAY