Following the appointment of Hideki Matsui as the manager of The Giants, Seibu Lions fielder chief and batting coach Toshihisa Nishi (55), who played alongside him during their active careers, revealed his honest feelings on the 23rd.

Upon hearing the news of the sudden appointment during autumn practice held at the team's facilities in Tokorozawa, Saitama, he spoke calmly, saying, 'I was a candidate, so I thought, "Oh, I see," but I also felt, "So he's really doing it." Especially given the timing.'

Coach Nishi joined The Giants as a second-round draft pick in 1995 from Nippon Life Insurance. He and Mr. Matsui were teammates who fought together under Manager Nagashima's Giants. Imagining next season's Matsui Giants, he said, "He is not the type of person who stubbornly pushes his own ego to change those around him. Since he is someone who interacts with people while maintaining harmony, I think he will likely build a good balance by doing things like trusting and delegating to the pitching coaches."

After moving from The Giants to the Yankees as a free agent in 2003, Matsui played for the Angels, Athletics, and Rays before retiring from active play at the end of 2012. This marks his return to The Giants for the first time in 24 years. Coach Nishi, who began his coaching career a step ahead of Matsui, expressed his hopes for his junior's success in the tough world of professional baseball, saying, 'He has finally put on the jersey. Since Matsui has taken on this role, I want him to do it for a long time. I believe a good period will surely come during that time.'