Seven rookie players from Nippon-Ham, including two development players, moved into the Yushō Dormitory in Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture on the 5th. outfielder Kane Edokpolo Kane (22) = Osaka University of Economics =, who was the second pick in the draft, revealed that he had met Darvish (Padres) for the first time the day before, on the 4th, through his older brother, mixed martial artist Edopolo King, and recalled excitedly, "He had an incredible aura. He told me to 'do my best.' It made me want to do even more."

A roughly one-hour baseball discussion took place in his hometown of Osaka. While he kept the advice he received from the legendary alumnus a secret, he said, "There were parts where I felt that without mental strength, technical skills wouldn't improve," reaffirming the importance of mental fortitude. The 190cm tall, 101kg slugger is poised to become a new star. (Haruki Kawakami)