Munenori Kawasaki talks about the famous scene: “I can’t not return when Ichiro is hitting! WBC Special Edition

Munenori Kawasaki (back-to-back winner in ’06 and ’09)
The mentor who created the “Hand of God Sliding

When I was selected as a member of the national team for the first tournament 20 years ago, I thought, ‘Wow, this is the worst ……. Really. I was playing for Softbank at the time, and the previous year was my third year as a regular player. The WBC was to be held in March, just before the start of the official season. The WBC is held in March, just before the start of the official season, so I was really concerned about what would happen if the season was affected in a strange way. The national team’s coach was Oh, 85, who led Softbank. When he said, ‘Go,’ I had no choice but to go. (Munenori Kawasaki)

Munenori Kawasaki, 44, was a regular starter in the first WBC in 2006 and played third base in the second WBC in 2009, contributing to consecutive titles. He was reluctant to resign, but the haze in his heart soon lifted.

Ichiro-san, 52, was there,” he said. That alone saved my life. I had admired Ichiro since before I became a professional baseball player, and now I could wear the same uniform with him. Thanks to Mr. Ichiro, the WBC became a “WBC full of motivation.

I was not the only one who admired Ichiro. A battle for Ichiro broke out among young players. Tsuyoshi Nishioka (41), Toshiaki Imae (42), Norichika Aoki (44), and myself. How could we get close to Ichiro?

I think it must have been difficult for Ichiro, too. He had to work with these kids. Eventually, Mr. Ichiro began to invite me to dinner. Every conversation we had was interesting and stimulating.

In the top of the ninth inning, with Ichiro on second base, Kawazaki made a big play in the final game against Cuba. The timing was delicate, but he made a split-second decision and twisted his right hand under the catcher’s knee to score the game-winning run. This base run, known as the “God’s Hand Slide,” was the result of his mentor’s presence.

Ichiro was hitting the ball and I couldn’t not return it to the batter’s box. I was so absorbed in the game that I don’t remember what the sign said or what the lead was. All I remember is that I was very nervous as I ran.

To be honest, there was no unity as a team in Samurai Japan. For example, at the dinner table, everyone was saying different things. There was no way they could be united because they all had strong quirks. But each one does his/her professional job. And they win. I thought they were strong. The second WBC was the same.

Such a national team also needs a “center. In the first and second WBCs, there was Ichiro. Everyone stood around him. I think it was Shohei Otani (31) who took on that role in the last tournament. Everyone stood around Shohei. I could see that atmosphere, and I felt that we were a very good team.”

In the 26th WBC, Samurai Japan will try to win back-to-back championships for the first time since Kawazaki and his team won the 2009 tournament.

I was very encouraged by the fact that so many major teams were participating. It is important to have firsthand information. I’m sure they will tell us little things other than playing, so we don’t have to worry about unnecessary things. Also, I want to say this.

You don’t have to carry the Japan national team on your back. The WBC is just a part of life. The current players are proud to be in the WBC and to be selected for the Samurai Japan team. I am happy for them, and I want to support them just by having that feeling and playing fair and square.

From the March 13-20, 2026 issue of FRIDAY