Yuji Kaneko shares his thoughts on Manaya Nishikawa, who continues to play full games despite struggling in the summer [Monthly Paco Anecdote]

Pacific League Insight Mayuko Goto

2025.7.12(土) 07:30

Yuji Kaneko ©PLM
Yuji Kaneko ©PLM

"Monday is also on Patere" was launched on the official Pacific League TV YouTube channel to entertain viewers on Mondays when there are no baseball broadcasts. On the July 7 broadcast, Ginji and Yuji Kaneko looked back on the week's games from their own perspectives.

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In July, with the sweltering heat continuing, fourth-placed Saitama Seibu has been losing more games than winning, with 2 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw. Manaya Nishikawa, who has been the leadoff hitter, leading the batting line-up, with a batting average of over 50% in his first at-bats in May, has been in poor form since July, with a monthly batting average of .212 (as of the 12th before the game). Many players fall into a slump in the summer, as the extreme heat makes it easier for fatigue to accumulate and recovery takes time, but what does Kaneko Yuji, who played with Nishikawa until last season, think of Nishikawa now?

Kaneko began by saying, "I was in a similar situation at one point!" He continued, "Aiya is a player who has never played an entire season, so I think this summer battle is his first experience after fighting since the start of the season. When you experience something for the first time, things don't always go as you expected, and things happen that are different from what you expected. Compared to early spring, you may feel tired, have heatstroke, or experience other health problems due to the heat, so I think it's important to first find a way to rest your body that suits you."

Kaneko said that because he was prone to losing weight during the summer, he "always made sure to sleep well and eat well," and that soaking in a bathtub helped to prevent fatigue from building up. In this way, he explained that trying different things and finding a method that suits you best in order to be in the best possible condition for the next match is an important part of learning for a professional. Finally, he gave the following words of encouragement to Nishikawa, who has continued to play full time since the start of the season despite struggling with poor performance.

"I think he's getting advice from a lot of people, including the manager and coaches, but in the end he has to overcome it himself. I think he doesn't want to lose and doesn't want to let go of everything he's built up since the start of the season. It's a tough world where you never know when you might lose your regular spot, but I want him to do his best and not give up here."

LIVE broadcast program "Monday is also Pate-tele"
・Streaming date: Every Monday from 9pm (scheduled to be available until October during the season)
・Streaming destination: Pacific League TV official YouTube channel
・Cast: A pair of former professional baseball players will appear each week
(Ginji and Yuji Kaneko / GG Sato and guests / Ryota Igarashi and T-Okada / Motonobu Tanishige and Tomoya Satozaki)

Next week on the 14th (Monday), GG Sato and Wada Takeshi will be appearing. Don't miss it!

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Yuji Kaneko shares his thoughts on Manaya Nishikawa, who continues to play full games despite struggling in the summer [Monthly Paco Anecdote]