A "confessional conversation" between Orix 's manager Mamoru Kishida (44) and pitcher coach Yoshihisa Hirano (41) has been realised. Next season will be Kishida's second year in the position, while Hirano will be taking on the new role of pitcher coach. The two were drafted in the same year in 2005 and have built a brotherly bond. They shared their passionate desire to win the league championship for the first time in three years. The rest of the conversation will be published in full in the "Bs Fan-Festa Special Edition," which went on sale on the 24th by the Hochi Shimbun. (Interview and editing by Nagata Toru and Nanbu Shunta)

This marks his second year in office. Starting with the fall training camp in Kochi, pitcher Hirano joined the team as a coach.

Manager Kishida (hereafter referred to as Kishi): "He also stands behind pitcher in bullpen. He especially gives advice on fork, and the players have expressions of appreciation. For example, Teranishi turns to look at Hirano the moment he throws the ball. When I see him like that, I feel he is reliable."

Hirano (hereafter, Hira): "When I first entered the Maishima coaching room in October, I thought it was amazing. I really felt that the coaches were thinking about the players and working on each one individually. It made me think, 'Players are really lucky.' I'm currently in the process of learning what it means to be a coach."

Kishi: "He's been giving me advice up until now, and it's already very Hirano-esque. His attitude towards training, his comments, his way of thinking. I think everything about him is very stimulating for the players. He doesn't need to think about what will happen to him as a coach. Both as a player and as a coach. Just doing your best will get the message across. The things we talk about won't change either."

Taira: "That hasn't changed yet. I think it would change if it was just the coach, but the manager is very considerate. When he asks me, 'What do you think of him?' I'll be prepared to answer."

-You joined the team at the same time in the 2005 draft. What were your impressions of each other at the time?

Kishi: "I joined the team through the preferred quota, so I could sense that he was different. catch ball quality, his posture was good, and he was big. His appearance has changed, though. He was thinner and didn't have a beard."

Taira: "I've been watching Kishida since I was in my second year of university. I have a lot of respect for people who have been successful in the working world and then go pro. My first impression was that an incredible person would go pro."

Kishi: "But Hirano had been in the first team since his first year. I felt that I had to catch up to Hirano."

-They are special to each other.

Taira: "Kishida is serious about everything he does. Outside of baseball, he's a good older brother. He treats everyone well, not just me. That's manly. When Nakajima stepped down as manager, I took over with determination. That's manly, too."

Kishi: "Of course, I didn't immediately agree..."

Taira: "But in the end, he accepted the role. He led the team to the CS again this year, and he never showed any signs of fatigue. He didn't cause any worry. I think he stuck to that throughout the year. He puts the players first baseman. His personality means he's also considerate of the people behind the scenes. I was worried that he might be bottling things up. He wasn't able to do anything as a player this year, so he has a strong desire to contribute both as a player and a coach."

Kishi: "As long as we're in professional baseball, we have to aim to win. It would be rude to the fans. Naturally, that's what we're aiming for."

Taira: "If I may say one thing, there's no need for people to think that I'm just a player. I'll work as a junior member. After I do my coaching job, I'll just do the training that I need to do. I want Coach Kishida to keep telling me that."

◆Mamoru Kishida was born on May 10, 1981 in Suita, Osaka, Japan. 44 years old. He played in Koshien the summer of his freshman year at Rushosha. No plate appearances. He went on to Tohoku Fukushi University and finished second in the 2005 Japan Championships with NTT West. Joined Orix in the third round of the college and adult draft that same year. 10 wins in 2009 and 33 saves in 2011, his most wins in a season. In 433 games, he has 44 wins, 30 losses, 63 saves, 63 hold, ERA 2.99. He will retire at the end of 2007, and from 2008, he will serve as a coach for the second team pitcher. During his active career, he was 180 centimeters and 80 kilograms. Pitches right-handed and bats right-handed.

◆Hirano Yoshihisa: Born March 8, 1984 in Kyoto Prefecture. Age 41. After graduating from Toba and Kyoto Sangyo University, he joined Orix in 2005 through the university/corporate draft preference slot. He won the title of best reliever in 2011 and most saves in 2014. He exercised his overseas free agent rights in the off-season of 2017. After playing for the Diamondbacks and Mariners, he returned to Orix in 2021. In 2023, he achieved a total of 250 saves in Japan and the US, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 700 NPB games, he has a record of 56 wins and 78 losses, 250 saves, 156 hold, and ERA 2.97. He is 186 cm tall and weighs 88 kg. He throws and bats right-handed.

Related News

・ [Orix] First-round draft pick Atsuya Fujikawa aims to surpass Yoshinobu and Shunpei Daiichi, saying, "I want to win when I pitch." A high school graduate rookie aiming for his first win in his first appearance
・ [Orix] Manager Kishida reveals his plan to use the right-handed pitcher, who has a total of 257 saves in Japan and the US, as a closer taking into consideration his track record.
・ [Orix] Yoshihisa Hirano makes his coaching debut immediately after joining the first team!? "I was told to go," he said, taking to mound in the Red vs. White game. The legend will take on a dual role from next season.
・ [Orix] Yoshihisa Hirano has stated that he will be taking on the role of coach from next season, saying, "I guess it's my turn to give back what I've been given so far." As previously reported in this paper
・ [Orix] "Two-way player" Yoshihisa Hirano gives his first coaching instruction at fall practice: "There were a lot of things to think about"