SMBC Japan Series 2025 Game 5: Hanshin Tigers 2-3 Softbank (11 extra inning) (30th, Koshien)

At the victory press conference, Softbank infielder Hotaka Yamakawa, who won the MVP award with three consecutive home runs in the Japan Series, revealed the reason for his good performance, which he had kept secret during the series.

"I finally got it during the early work in the second match, and I had the feeling that I could definitely hit it. I was in a state of great confidence. I had been hitting the curveball machine all this time, and it was flying faster than usual. The technique helped me regain my confidence. I was really conscious of my heel bone," he said. "To put it simply, it would take about two hours, so I'll stop here," he said, avoiding a detailed explanation, but said that through trial and error with his stance, he found a way to strike a balance that felt right.

"I believe I can hit the ball when I'm in position, so I can actually hit the ball. I want to practice soon. I don't want to forget this feeling. I want to make it my own. I'll take a break tomorrow, of course, but I'll start again around the day after tomorrow," he said, vowing to resume batting practice without basking in the joy of being number one in Japan.

◆Yamakawa's press conference

-How does it feel to win the MVP award?

"Yes, I'm happy."

- He had never been number one in Japan during his career. He said he wanted to see the best scenery in Japan.

"I think what will stick in my memory from now on will be the scene when Hikaru gave me the ball. I think the sight of the ball will stay with me."

- You were disappointed with the lack of results in last year's Japan Series. What were your thoughts going into this year's series?

"I wasn't in the starting starting line-up at first, but after the first game I finally got it during the early work in the second game. I thought, I can hit this, I can definitely hit this. Because I had that feeling, I was in a state of great confidence, and I kept hitting the curveball machine during the early work, and the ball flew farther and farther than usual, and that's where the technique came in. It was definitely my technique that helped me regain my confidence."

Q: You said you would talk about the new sensations if you won. What are the key points?

"I was extremely conscious of my heel bone. I don't think you'll understand what I'm saying, but I was constantly conscious of my heel bone."

- To put it simply, which leg?

"Both. I tried leaning back a little on both heels, and I've probably tried batting practice about 1,000 times this year, trying this and that but nothing worked the way I imagined it would, but at the very end, while practicing in the morning, I finally found it. It's easy to understand, easy to understand, and it's going to take about two hours, so I'll stop here."

- How to maintain balance and center of gravity while paying attention to your bones

"I agree"

- Then he won three games in a row.

"After all, when I'm conscious of my heel, I think I can hit the ball when I'm ready to hit it. If I think I can hit it when I'm ready to hit it, I can actually hit it, and the ball also looks slower for some reason, so rather than thinking about three games in a row, I just thought I could definitely hit it in the end."

- Three consecutive games is a tie for the Japan Series record. This is the first time the team has achieved this feat since Jojima played for Daiei.

"I'm very honored."

- I think this past year was a difficult season with a lot of trial and error, but you ended it with an MVP award.

"But I really want to start practicing soon. I don't want to forget this feeling, and I can't help but think, what if this feeling came from my head this year? It doesn't work out that way, but I want to analyze more why I was able to hit with this feeling and make it my own. I want to start batting now."

-Without immersing yourself in fine wine

"That's true. I'll be taking a rest tomorrow, but I think I'll start batting again from the day after tomorrow."

-To the fans

"I think I caused a lot of frustration during the season, but I'm glad I was able to show a good performance at the end, and your support has always given me strength, so I'll do my best so that you will continue to support me next year. Thank you very much."

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