Roki Sasaki Reiwa’s Troublemaking Monster Heads to the Dream Stage with a Smile
In his 5th year as a professional baseball player, Akinori Sasaki has decided to post his long-cherished wish to move to the U.S.
“I’m going to do my best in the U.S. and turn all the tough encouragement into power!”
The young strong arm, who is attracting attention from both Japan and the U.S., was unexpectedly showered with warm cheers from fans that day, causing him to secretly shed tears.
“To all the fans, thank you for your passionate support over the past five years. I will turn all the encouragement and tough words I’ve received into strength and do my best in America!”
On November 17, Roki Sasaki (23) appeared in public for the first time since his announcement to accept a posting for a Major League move, at the Chiba Lotte Marines’ Fan Appreciation Day held at ZOZO Marine Stadium.
Sasaki had openly expressed his desire to go to the Major Leagues for several years. Last offseason, he withdrew from the players’ association and had his contract for the season left unresolved until just before camp began, causing a stir in the baseball world. Additionally, due to frequent injuries and never completing a rotation since joining the team, many former players and fans are critical of his move to the Major Leagues.
“Of course, such opinions have reached Roki. That’s why he had been hesitant to speak with the media and avoided public appearances due to fear of heckling. However, at the Fan Appreciation Day, many fans were cheering for him, and there were few who voiced ‘tough encouragement.’ Feeling the love from the fans, Roki was seen with tears in his eyes on stage,” said a reporter who was there.
“I will act without regret before my daily life is lost.”
Our magazine spotted Sasaki Roki in mid-November at Lotte’s minor league facility in Urawa. Dressed in a simple outfit of a black hoodie, sweatpants, and sandals, his 192 cm tall frame stood out. Walking through the evening streets while chatting with trainers, Sasaki remained smiling the entire time, exuding a relaxed atmosphere, seemingly unaffected by any critical voices.
“Roki seems to be focusing on building his body to stay in the Major League rotation. There have been rumors circulating online about him dining with advertising agency officials, but the reality is that his days consist of a strict routine, traveling back and forth between the practice field and his home,” said a sports paper desk.
Now 23, Sasaki will sign a minor league contract with his team in accordance with the Major League’s “25-year-old rule.” His first-year salary in the Major League is expected to be about $7 million (approximately ¥1.08 billion), far from the tens of billions or even hundreds of billions of yen that players like Yoshinobu Yamamoto (26) could earn. A Major League scout who witnessed Sasaki’s pitching praised him, saying, “If it weren’t for the 25-year-old rule, he’d be worth a 10-year, $300 million (approximately ¥46.3 billion) contract.”
“However, by moving to the Major Leagues two years earlier, Sasaki now has to perform at a high level and earn a large contract on his own. There is a risk that he could lose out on tens of billions in lifetime earnings. This move will attract criticism and comes with financial risks. Even so, to make the decision to go to the Major Leagues, a great deal of determination is required. Having experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake as a child, Sasaki likely holds the belief of ‘acting without regret before everyday life is lost.'”
The leading destination for Sasaki is the Dodgers, where Shohei Ohtani (30) and Yamamoto currently play, but the Yankees, Padres, and Cubs have also shown interest in him, according to the desk.
We hope to see Sasaki’s incredible smile on the Major League mound as well.
Unpublished cut in this magazine: Sasaki Roki “Smiling on his way to the stage of his dreams” spotted after practice at the minor league facility!PHOTO： Sota Shima
