Interview with SAMURAI JAPAN Hideki Kuriyama (Part 2)
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Hideki Kuriyama, the commander, is energetically working toward the world’s best at the 5th WBC (World Baseball Classic) to be held in March 2023, such as visiting the camp as early as possible. What kind of members will we fight in this tournament in March next year? Is there an invitation from Yu Darvish or Shohei Ohtani? I asked Director Kuriyama.
Director Hideki Kuriyama talks about his aspirations for the 5th WBC scheduled to be held next year
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[Call out to Shohei for both throws]
──There were Japanese major leaguers such as Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka as the representatives of Japan when they won the first and second consecutive championships of the WBC. However, the 3rd tournament, which lost in the semi-finals, could not convene Japanese major leaguers, and the 4th tournament was only Nori Aoki (then Astros). What do you think about it this time?
“Of course, I want Japanese major leaguers to be there. Everyone has it in their heads, and it’s decided that we should have a lot of them. The starting pitchers are (Kikuchi) Yusei and Arihara (Kou). Hira), Dar (with Darvish), of course, there is Maeken (Kenta Maeda), depending on the condition of the elbow after surgery, and Sawamura (Takuichi) of relief.
If you are a fielder, there are players such as Tsutsugo (Yoshitomo) and Akiyama (Shogo) who may go to major league baseball this year. They are all soulful players and have abilities. If you look at each person like that, you will definitely want it, but because of the overall balance and the balance of the number of people, it may not be possible to gather everyone … “
──Please give the name of Shohei Ohtani (laughs).
“Is that the story of’necessary?'(Laughs)”
──It has been decided that you want to be there in the sense that the other major leaguer will be scared.
“Of course, I’m going to understand the meaning best, even if I don’t put it in words, and I’m going to understand his greatness the most. I can’t. “
