“I Want to Tear It All Down Before I Leave” — What’s Really Going On Inside the Hiroshima Carp?

One scandal after another comes to light

“I feel deeply sorry as an alumnus for disappointing Carp fans and baseball fans.”

Baseball commentator Takehiko Kobayakawa expressed his disappointment over the scandals involving his former team.

In January this year, former Hiroshima player Ryutaro Hatsuki (26), who was with the team at the time, was arrested by Hiroshima Prefectural Police for using the designated drug etomidate, commonly known as “zombie cigarettes.”

In July, photo weekly magazine “FLASH” reported that Masaya Yano (27), Shunsuke Tamura (22), Kaito Kozono (26), and others from Hiroshima had shared drinks with Ryosuke Takiguchi (38), who was arrested for allegedly giving zombie cigarettes to Hatsuki.

“Furthermore, on July 30, the team announced that the homes of Yano and Seita Maekawa (23) had been searched, and that Maekawa had subsequently been removed from the first-team roster (Yano had been removed on July 17).

That same day, owner Hajime Matsuda (75) told reporters, ‘A player we never expected has come up.’ However, Maekawa is known as Yano’s junior protégé and often shared meals with him, so few people involved with the team were surprised.

Rather, the owner’s comment has led to suspicions that the team may be aware that other players are involved but is hiding it.” (Sports newspaper reporter covering the Carp)

Amid the Hiroshima Carp’s turmoil over the zombie cigarette scandal, what exactly is happening within the team? A different former Carp player than Kobayakawa said, “The person who is most shocked by this is manager Takahiro Arai (49),” and continued with concern:

“Arai used to be so cheerful, but recently he has had fewer opportunities to speak with players and former players. When you greet him on the field, you’re taken to the manager’s office behind the dugout. Only after he closes the door does he begin speaking honestly. ‘I’m sorry, I have to take responsibility. But I want to punch everyone who was involved with the zombie cigarettes and tear everything down before I quit.’

There’s no way someone as kind as Arai could actually hit his players. That’s precisely why it’s so heartbreaking. In Hiroshima, where owner Matsuda wields enormous power, there is little Arai can do outside the field.

He certainly bears responsibility as the manager. But having to stand in the line of fire after being betrayed by his own players, while having no course of action he can take on his own, is simply too cruel.”

A hit-by-pitch incident nearly turns into a brawl

Manager Arai’s sources of stress extend to the field as well. On July 19, amid a heated race for first place, a string of hit-by-pitches against the Hanshin Tigers led to an emergency situation in which players from both teams rushed out of their dugouts.

“On July 17, Ukyo Maegawa (23) was hit by two pitches and suffered a fractured right shoulder blade, forcing him to leave the team with an injury. On the 18th, Teruaki Sato (27) became furious after a pitch from Taylor Hearn (31) got away and came dangerously close to his chest. Then, on the 19th, Hearn hit Yusuke Ohyama (31) again, leading to a heated face-off.

Hiroshima had also hit Koji Chikamoto (31) with a pitch on April 26, causing him to suffer a fracture, so it is understandable that the Hanshin side was angry.” (The aforementioned reporter)

Hiroshima ranks fourth among the six Central League teams in hit-by-pitches this season, so the number itself is not particularly high. However, the team has noticeably been attacking the inside against Hanshin’s key hitters. Why?

“It seems battery coach Yoshiyuki Ishihara (46) has been urging the catchers to be more aggressive. Taiki Mochimaru (24) and Takaki Ishihara (28) are both gentle by nature and have difficulty pitching inside, so he has instructed them, ‘You can’t contain a strong lineup unless you attack the inside.’

There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but having this many hit-by-pitches in succession is still problematic. At Mazda Stadium, where the situation nearly turned into a brawl, manager Arai was also doing everything he could to calm both teams down.” (A team staff member)

With the season now entering its second half and the team sitting in fifth place, the club’s executives are already turning their attention toward the offseason. Within the organization, concerns are growing that Yano could become the second Hatsuki.

“There is even talk that he could be in danger of being released. Meanwhile, Kaito Kozono and Shunsuke Tamura, whose connections to defendant Takiguchi were also reported alongside Yano’s, are being treated as gray, meaning they have essentially faced no disciplinary action. Even though their homes have been searched, it would be understandable if they thought, ‘Why am I the only one being punished?’

But Kozono is also in a difficult position. During last offseason’s contract negotiations, he engaged in quite a salary battle with the club, using his batting title as leverage and securing a ¥60 million raise to ¥150 million. But his batting average is now hovering around .240. A major pay cut next season is unavoidable.” (The aforementioned former player)

In response to the latest controversy, the club has decided to prohibit players from taking part in offseason side jobs, such as talk shows and television appearances. It is also reportedly beginning the process of selecting the next manager, with Kenjiro Nomura (59) as the leading candidate.

“There is no changing the fact that we have betrayed the fans through this incident. I hope everyone remembers how much effort they put in to become professionals and that the entire team will once again straighten up, approach every game with everything they have, and fight desperately.” (The aforementioned Kobayakawa)

It would be painfully sad if the Carp manager, who enjoyed the glory of three consecutive league championships toward the end of his playing career, were to have his tenure end in such a way.

From the combined August 21–28, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”