Interview with Seigi Tanaka, NIHAM: “Why I Keep Smiling on the Mound”

The number of votes cast was 926,283.

As of July 1, the player who has garnered the most votes among the 12 teams in the closer category for the pro baseball All-Star games, held on July 23 and 24 (at Es Con Field and Jingu Stadium), is Nippon-Ham’s new closer, Masayoshi Tanaka (29).

Why is Tanaka so overwhelmingly popular? It is likely because fans resonate with his journey of awakening after enduring many years of hardship since turning pro. Tanaka says, 

“Even now, I am not at ease. If I fail as a reliever, I will immediately lose the closer role. Every game is a crucial test.” 

Let’s look back on Tanaka’s tumultuous baseball career through his own words.

Seigi Tanaka, who hails from Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, started playing baseball in the first grade. At Soka High School, he wore the number 1 jersey from his first year and continued to excel as the ace at Soka University. Armed with a powerful fastball that reached a top speed of 156 km/h, Tanaka achieved a no-hitter in the Tokyo New University League in the fall of his third year. He was hailed as a once-in-a-decade talent, attracting the attention of five teams who competed to draft him in the first round of the October 2016 draft. In the end, he joined SoftBank through a lottery. However, concerns were already beginning to surface.

“In the spring of my senior year in college, I developed inflammation in my right shoulder. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I injured my shoulder again during the training camp right after turning pro. I spent my first year rehabilitating and didn’t get a chance to play in the first team.”

In his second year, although Tanaka started the season in the first team, further despair soon followed. In his debut game, he was hit for a home run right away, and by May, he had given up home runs in three consecutive games, leading to his demotion to the second team.

“It was a season where I worked as hard as I could, to the point where I thought I couldn’t train any more. So, when I couldn’t make an impact in the first team, I didn’t know what to do. I became increasingly negative, thinking, ‘I’m not contributing,’ and ‘Maybe I’m not cut out for the pros.’ For a long time, I couldn’t imagine myself succeeding again in the first team. Every year, I ended the season bracing myself for being cut from the team.”

Tanaka was so focused on baseball that he left his smartphone at home when heading to the stadium. However, this seriousness might have contributed to his prolonged slump as he over thought his struggles.

From a book by an American psychologist

A turning point came in January 2023, during his seventh year as a professional. Tanaka was traded to Nippon-Ham as compensation for Kensuke Kondo, who had exercised his overseas free agent rights to join SoftBank.

“I understood why I wasn’t protected, as I hadn’t won a single game in the past six years. However, I felt honored to be chosen by the Hawks, a team with many great players. At that time, I was focusing on strengthening my physical condition and thought I might be able to make it.” 

Immediately after his transfer, during the spring camp bullpen sessions, Tanaka received the following words from manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo, which sparked his awakening.

“Nothing good comes from being too tense. It’s better to be relaxed, even to the point of laughing.”

This wise advice helped ease Tanaka’s worries. The position change also worked to his advantage.

“Pitching coach Yoshinori Tateyama suggested, ‘Maybe you’re better suited for relief pitching.’ I agreed without hesitation. In the open games, I wasn’t very effective as a starter, pitching three to four innings. Plus, with my limited pitch selection (mainly fastballs and forks), I felt that giving my all in shorter innings suited me better.”

On April 21, 2023, against Rakuten, Tanaka was entrusted with the ninth inning with a 7-6 lead after relief ace Naoya Ishikawa was sidelined with an injury. However, he was hit hard with the bases loaded and suffered a walk-off loss, failing in his role as a closer.

“I felt so pathetic that my mind went blank. Then, I remembered Manager Shinjo’s words, ‘It’s better to be relaxed, even to the point of laughing.’ Instead of worrying, I decided to think positively, ‘Next time, I’ll definitely succeed.’ There’s no good in being tense. This is why I always try to smile on the mound now.”

Tanaka is also a voracious reader.

“I read a book by Brené Brown, an American psychologist, titled ‘True Courage is Recognizing Your Weakness.’ It taught me that exposing my true self can be a source of strength. It gave me courage. By accepting the results, even when I failed in relief, I was able to keep standing on the mound.”

On April 26, in a game against Orix, Tanaka earned his first professional save. When asked about his feelings on the victory podium, he remained silent for about 20 seconds.

“I was trying hard to hold back my tears. It took seven years. Thinking about all the days of struggle, it feels like a miracle now.”

“Justice Served”—a phrase that fans have adopted to signify Tanaka’s successful saves. Last year, Tanaka secured 25 saves and established himself as the team’s closer. This season, he continues to ascend the mound with a smile at the All-Star game, ready to serve justice.

Seigi Tanaka: Born July 1994 in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. After attending Soka High School and Soka University, he joined SoftBank in 2017. He transferred to Nippon-Ham in 2023, recording his first professional save and win that same year. Last year, he had a record of 2 wins, 3 losses, and 25 saves. He stands 188 cm tall and weighs 93 kg. He bats and throws right-handed.

From the July 19, 2024 issue of FRIDAY