Nippon-Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo (53) welcomed the match against Hanshin Tigers Tigers manager Kyuji Fujikawa (44) on the 2nd in the opening game of the interleague games. When he heard that Fujikawa was watching his tactics, he said with a grin, "Then it's a bench showdown." He praised Fujikawa's flexible tact, such as double steals and the use of Teru Sato outfield, and will liven up the showdown between the leaders of the two leagues with his tactics.
Manager Shinjo was also smooth-tongued in his eagerly awaited first match against his juniors. In last season's interleague games, he appeared at the member exchange wearing a Hanshin Tigers uniform, which became a hot topic. When he heard that Manager Fujikawa was watching Shinjo's baseball, he said, "Well, it's a bench showdown now. I want to make a lot of first and third bases (laughs)." They were trying to figure out each other's intentions, but he laughed and said, "It's fun to read each other's minds. I like shogi, so I make this face."
He pointed out the scene where Manager Fujikawa attempted a double steal in the game against DeNA (Koshien) on May 28th, and commented, "Maybe his thinking is more in line with mine." Both teams are in first place, and this is their first clash in the interleague games. "That's impressive, isn't it? They've been in first place since their first year. I think Sato's outfield (appointments) are great. That kind of flexibility, I wonder if he's imitating me (laughs)," he said, jokingly praising him.
The two managers were teammates at Hanshin Tigers for two years, in 1999 and 2000. What made the impression on Manager Shinjo was seeing him practice late into the night. "I'm also the type who likes to practice secretly. I remember not being able to go because the players were practicing until late. I was practicing so much that I thought, 'Players, hurry up and go home.'" A quarter of a century has passed, and this is his first match as manager. With the carefully prepared "Shinjo Special," he will demonstrate the greatness of his senior. (Yamaguchi Yasushi)
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