Orix Buffaloes On August 7, Daiki Tajima pitcher (29) declared that he aims to become an NBA-class "top-notch player." Aiming to evolve from his seven-win season, he plans to work three days a week and run six kilometers in the off-season. The left-hander, who will turn 30 next August, said, "In the long run, I want to continue to be active even after I turn 35 or 40. I need to train my body well now and strengthen my lower body," he explained his intentions, and at the same time, he also drew up a grand dream.

'No matter what approach I take, I still haven't reached superlative. This year, I decided to increase the amount of running I do. I am in the experimental stage to see if I can reach the gate to be called "top-notch. Tajima's definition of "top-notch" is to be able to compete on equal terms with Softbank Hawks and Yanagida and other strong hitter players who feel "I don't know how closer to do it...". He added, "Curry (Warriors) and LeBron James (Lakers) in the NBA, they are playing basketball with tens of billions (in salary). (I) think, 'Wow, I want to be close to those who are at the top of their game. I'm thinking, 'Wow, I want to be close to those guys at the top,' while I'm on baseball," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

From this day onwards, he resumed throwing at the net at Maishima in Osaka. In mid-January, he plans to continue participating in joint voluntary training sessions led by his trainer, Konoe Toshiharu, as he did last year. "I've digressed, but that's what running six kilometers every day is all about. It's to get even one step closer to the top," he emphasized once again. (Nambu Shunta)