Rakuten Eagles outfielder Yuya Ogo conducted voluntary training in Okinawa Prefecture on the 12th.

In 2011, he was the only player out of the 12 teams to inning the full innings in every game, but last season he played in just 90 games, with a batting average of .173 and only two Home Run, which was a disappointment. He is determined to make a comeback. In an online interview after practice, he said emphatically, "Last year, I wasn't doing very well even before the season started. I feel like I just let the season drag on like that, so I'm going to train hard again and do my best to have a good season."

Shimauchi, who played for Rakuten for 14 years until last Rakuten Eagles, announced his retirement on the 4th. Ogō, who watched Shimauchi as a rookie, repeatedly hitting balls over the fence in all directions, recalled, "He was the senior who surprised me the most when he came to camp in my first year. He was the player who had the biggest impact on me when I first saw him."

As a fellow left-handed hitter outfielder, Shimauchi continued to pose a high wall to climb. "He has always been a great player, winning titles and doing well, so I wanted to be as competitive as him and hit long balls in all directions, which was a big goal for me, and I always thought that I couldn't play in a game unless I surpassed him. I had the impression that he was a senior player who I should aim to be like," he revealed.

With veteran players leaving the team, expectations are high for Ogō to play a key role. He will aim to regain his original batting form and regain a regular spot in his turning 30 season.

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