DeNA’s Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Confesses that Adversity Always Strengthens Him
After experiencing life at the bottom of the heap in the U.S. minor leagues, Yoshitomo Tsutsuka returned to DeNA after a five-year absence. He returned to DeNA after five years in the U.S. and hit a home run that brought tears to Hamasuta!
“I brought only books about Ichiro-san.”
When Tsutsugo, who had advanced to the powerhouse Yokohama High School, was selected as the first pick in the draft by the BayStars in October 2009, he was determined to become a top-notch player from the moment he moved into the dormitory.
“I brought only books about my respected Ichiro-san, aside from daily necessities. Even as a pro, I wanted a life immersed in baseball.”
However, Tsutsugo was plagued by repeated injuries. It wasn’t until his fifth year with the team, in the 2014 season, that he finally established himself in the top team. Two years later, in 2016, he achieved the home run and RBI titles (44 home runs, 110 RBIs). Recognized as one of Japan’s leading sluggers, he was entrusted with the cleanup spot for ‘Samurai Japan’ and realized his dream of moving to the majors at the end of 2019.
In his first year with the Rays, he disappointed with a batting average of .197, 8 home runs, and 24 RBIs, falling far short of expectations.
“In Japan, I used to swing the bat with a slightly upward motion, but with the Rays, I was asked to swing more downward to hit ground balls. It was my first time in the majors, so I accepted it as part of the experience, but gradually, I lost sight of myself. Even when stepping into the batter’s box, I didn’t feel like myself.I couldn’t stick to my own style and ended up accepting everything. It made me realize my own weaknesses.”
He also experienced life at rock bottom in the minor leagues after being demoted. His meals were simple, consisting of bread and potatoes. When he sent out his laundry, socks frequently didn’t come back. If he stayed in a hotel, only water came out of the shower. He traveled on budget airlines, often facing delays of nearly a day. Despite being able to upgrade if he paid himself, Tsutsugo didn’t change his lifestyle.
“I told them that there’s no point in me living well alone. Please don’t treat me specially. I believed experiencing everything was important.”
Tsutsugo, who signed a minor league contract with the Giants in August 2023, became a free agent this March. Shortly after, he received a phone call from DeNA’s manager Daisuke Miura.
