The Giants pitcher Daiki Kikuchi (26) has been selected to transfer to Nippon-Ham in the active player draft.
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"Honestly, it's tough," said Kikuchi, who is usually smiling when interviewed, in a rare moment of weakness. His daughter was born in February, and in his first month as a father in March, he was even in the third team, not to mention the first team. The reality was that things didn't go as planned. What kept him going was "the feeling that he had to work hard because he had a daughter." He had many photos and videos of his daughter stored on his smartphone. He had always swung his arm with the sole desire to stand on the first team mound for his family.
He is the first professional baseball player from Sado Island. He started out in the development team, but his high strike out rate earned him a regular spot, and in 2011 he made 50 appearances on the mound, making his breakthrough. However, in 2012 he did not pitch in the first team. One of the reasons he was unable to establish himself was his throw when playing defense. He asked various people about practice methods, and practiced alone in the dimly lit bullpen in silence. He found his own style and overcame his anxiety.
He has such a gentle personality that many of his classmates say they have never seen him angry. When he was a dormitory resident, it was his daily routine to eat three of his favorite rice balls after a game. When a senior student took him out to eat, he would take a photo of the food and send it to his mother on Sado Island, showing his adorable side.
On mound, however, he shouts and swings his arms with fighting spirit. Takamizawa Toshihiko of the three-man rock band "THE ALFEE," with whom he shares an entrance song and a personal trainer, was so moved that he commented, "All I have in my head is 'For the team!' I was impressed by his determination to pitch consecutive games." Kind to others, but strict with himself. We are confident that Kikuchi will be loved by fans and teammates even in the northern lands. (The Giants reporter, Mizukami Chie)
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