On the 26th, 12 rookie players from Rakuten Eagles visited Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture, which was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. They visited the Minamisanriku 3/11 Memorial at the Earthquake Memorial Hall and laid flowers in front of the former Disaster Prevention Center. Fourth-round draft catcher Toshiya Oei (18), from Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, who was also affected by the disaster, pledged to play an active role in bringing vitality and courage to the Tohoku region.
Daiei listened attentively to a detailed explanation of what happened at the time of the earthquake. He then toured the Minamisanriku 3/11 Memorial for about 40 minutes. "The disaster came back to me a little. I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the damage this region suffered," he said with a solemn expression.
He was only three years old at the time of the earthquake. "The shaking was tremendous," he said. He still remembers being hit by the powerful tremors at home. The earthquake had also caused a disruption to the nearby roads. "The fact that the roads had become uneven was what shocked me the most," he said. He was heartbroken by the devastation unfolding before his eyes. Immediately after the earthquake, he lived off the food and water provided by the Self-Defense Forces, who came to a nearby park. After that, he spent some time temporarily staying with relatives in Ibaraki.
When he was in the fourth grade of elementary school, former Rakuten manager Rakuten Eagles, who was an active player at the time, visited him as part of a reconstruction support activity. "He taught me about the joy of baseball," he said. "I gained a lot of strength from that interaction. It was a precious time that I will never forget."
This year marks 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Now, as a professional baseball player, he is in a position to inspire and inspire many people. As a professional baseball player belonging to a team in a disaster-stricken area, he has a role and a mission. The 18-year-old, with his powerful arm and powerful hitting, has renewed his resolve, saying, "I want to play and act in a way that will help the people of Tohoku." He will become a beacon of hope that shines upon Tohoku.
Related News
・ [Photo] Famous jockey throws first pitch with a desperate look on his face!
・ Rakuten Eagles 's rookie player visits Minamisanriku, an area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. First-round draft pick Sodai Fujiwara says, "I can't put my feelings into words."
・ [Rakuten Eagles] The Maeda effect is enormous!? The addition of a powerful foreign player strengthens the starting lineup, which has been an issue... The outlook for a rotation battle
・ The Giants' Makoto Kadowaki reveals the true face of Chiharu Tanaka... a classmate who transferred to Rakuten Eagles as compensation
・ [The Giants] Masaya Hagio reveals his memories of his fellow Rakuten Eagles transferee, Chiharu Tanaka, saying, "It was so much fun." "I'll do my best not to lose to Chiharu."
