Seibu Lions Takumi Kuriyama outfielder (42) and (38) had a talk with the veterans. Kuriyama has announced his retirement at the end of this season, and Sumitani has followed his lead. They shared their passionate feelings, ranging from memories of their youth to their desire to win Japan's No. 1 baseball championship, which has eluded them since 2008. (Reporting by Ayami Onaka) Ginjiro Sumitani catcher

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—2008 was the last year Seibu Lions won the Japan Series. What were some of the most memorable games or events from that year?

(Kuriyama) Where was it? It must have been 2008. Kishi-kun (Takayuki, now Rakuten Eagles) came in midway through the game and closer. But as I start to remember, I think it was my bunt [Note 1] in Game 7 when we won the championship in 2008. (Kataoka) Yasu-san got on base (after being hit by Hit by Pitch) and stolen base, and I laid down a perfect bunt off Ochi (of The Giants) on the first try. Nakajima-san hit a ground ball to third base, and there was a cambled start (to tie the game).

(Sumitani) Wasn't it short stop to shortstop?

(Kurita) Ground ball to third base. Ground ball to third base. That's right. It's an impressive scene, so it's my bunt. Perfect.

—Of all the matches you've played in, what's the most memorable moment for you?

(Kurita) That's right. Oh, and also, Okawari (Takeya Nakamura) hit two home run off Greisinger (in Game 4). That was impressive too.

—Are you gradually remembering?

(Kuri) That's right. It takes time to remember, though. It was quite a while ago.

—I believe 2008 was the last time you were number one in Japan. What kind of stage was that for the two of you, considering your long baseball careers?

(Kurita) Well, at the time I thought I'd be able to come back, and that there would be another chance like that in baseball career, and that it was just one of those things that was passing me by, but now that I think about it, it was a really precious experience. You don't come across something like that very often. No, that shouldn't happen, really. It should happen many times. It's a little frustrating that it became such a precious experience.

- What do you think of Tanitani?

(Sumi) I was young, and I felt more like I was given the experience of winning the championship than that I was included in the winning team or that I was able to win the championship. In the 5th game, Mr. Hosokawa (Toru, now coach of Softbank Hawks) got injured in the 3rd inning. I had to put on the mask from that point on. pitcher In the seventh inning with a one-run lead, I gave up four runs on five hits in a row. The next day, the newspaper wrote, "As soon as catcher took over, we got hit, and it was catcher 's fault. It was the Japan Series. （It was my third year (as a pro). I was extremely frustrated. But then I got a call from Mr. Jojima (now of Softbank Hawks). We were training together. He told me, "Don't worry about what they say about you, you'll do starting line-up the 6th and 7th rounds. He called me and said, "Don't worry about what they say about you. That made me feel much better, and I was able to have that experience. So I feel more strongly that I was given the opportunity to experience various things like that. I don't really feel like "I won!

—What are your thoughts on the Japan Series now, 18 years later?

(Kurita) It was the best stage. It was wonderful. As an athlete, I think it was a stage where you could show more than your actual ability and grow. What do you think?

(Sumi) Well, when I was with the Giants...

Are there chestnuts?

(Sumi) We went two more times, but we ended up losing eight straight games to Softbank Hawks.

(Kuri) You've been in the Japan Series three times?

(Charcoal) Three times.

(Chestnut) That's nice.

(Sumi) The Japan Series is great, isn't it?

Kuriyama has publicly stated that this is his last year, and he wants to finish his season by playing in his final game this year.

(Kuri) That's right. I think that's the best option.

- Mr. Sumitani has appeared three times, and this year he will be making his fourth appearance.

(Sumi) Of course. I'm sorry to compare them, but Abe was like that too. Shinnosuke Abe (of The Giants) hit home run in his last Japan Series. Against Senga (now with the Mets). I'd like to see something like that.

—People are saying they want to see it, what do you think?

(Kuri) Yes, I'd like to show it to them.

—Since this will be your first Japan Series appearance since 2008, I think it will also mean you'll be able to play the longest season. What are your thoughts on that?

(Kurita) That's right. I want this to be a season where I can play for as long as possible, have the support of the fans for as long as possible, and share that time with everyone.

—Finally, could you tell us about each of your individual goals for this season, and what you both want to accomplish together this season?

(Sumi) I'll go first. My personal goal is... Since I'm here (in the minor leagues) right now, I have a strong desire to become a valuable asset to the team as quickly as possible. And as for Kuriyama-san, we've been talking about being on the victory platform and all, but what I really want to do is, I think it was in 2017, when we had the Enjishi [Note 2], when the uniforms were red. At that time, it was a tie game or something, and at the end, I got on base with a hit by pitch and Kuriyama-san hit a walk-Rakuten Eagles walk-off home run run. (The opposing pitcher was Herman. This was at home against Rakuten on August 17th.)

(Kuri) That's right, that's right. You see... So?

(Sumi) It was home run, so I was the first to reach home base right? Then Kuriyama came back, and I vividly remember being the first to hug him. Oh, you remember?

(Chestnut) I remember, I remember.

(Sumi) I want to do something passionate like that.

(Kuri) Did you do it with two outs?

(Sumi) It's two outs now.

(Kurita) Ginjiro and Tonosaki were up to bat, and I was told I'd be the next pinch hitter. I thought, "If Ginjiro's up to bat, then it's not my turn to pinch hit," but then I got the chance, and I was like, "Wow!" Then Tono hit, so I got the chance, and I was like, "Wow!" And then I went for it and hit home run.

(Sumi) Now that I think about it, it's strange that they didn't use me as a pinch runner.

(Kurita) Was it a tie? I think it was a tie. It was a tie and (pitcher) Herman.

(Sumi) Was it Herman? Anyway, I remember waiting in front of the base after he walk-off home run we hugged.

—What are Kuriyama's goals for this season, and what would you two like to do together?

(Kurita) My goal for this season is to make it a season where I can feel a real sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in my hitting, as a culmination of everything I've been working on. And of course, I want to win the championship. I want to be on the bench as one of the members heading for the championship. And, as Sumitani said earlier, I hope that there will be some exciting moments like that, and that I'll be able to decide the game.

—Then it seems like you two could also make it happen on the stage together.

(Kuri) That's right. In terms of possibilities, first of all, I need to make it to the first team.

(Charcoal) Yes, that's right.

(Kuri) We have to "break through" this situation. We're going to break through it, and that's what our team slogan is all about. We need to be positive.

(Sumi) I could talk about that for another five hours.

(Kuri) No, let's break through that feeling too.

[Note 1] In Game 7 of the 2008 Japan Series against The Giants, with the series tied at 3 wins and 3 losses, Kuriyama laid down sacrifice bunt to first base in the 8th inning with no outs and a runner on second base, leading to the comeback victory.

[Note 2] On August 17, 2017, in a game Rakuten Eagles (at MetLife Dome) while wearing the limited-edition red "Flame Lion" uniforms, pinch hitter Kuriyama hit walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs and runners on first and second base, ending the game with both teams scoreless.