I was watching the game on TV at home. I was injured, so I avoided watching my team's games. Even if I did, I would want to throw the ball. But we had been training together since New Year's, so I was curious to see how much he would throw. 2 I did about runs, but I didn't walk, so I think I was able to compete well hitter. Now, if I can throw a long inning, I think I can win. Orix Buffaloes On May 15, just before he left for the U.S. to have surgery on the left elbow that Hiroya Miyagi pitcher he had injured, he gave a shout out to his hometown junior, Riku Miyaguni pitcher who had made his debut with the first team after becoming a manager.
Miyagi, who was the first overall pick in the 2019 draft and is in his seventh year, and Miyakuni, who was the third overall pick in the 2023 developmental draft and is in his third year, are both from Okinawa Prefecture, although there is an age difference between them. They are also from the same youth baseball, "Ginowan Ponies," and are close friends. Miyakuni is the only younger player who can speak to Miyagi informally, and Miyagi himself says, "I like being teased by younger people," and enjoys the lighthearted banter that lightens the mood.
The two often play against each other in their personal lives, playing shooting games on their iPads, but both draw the line when it comes to baseball Miyagi asked Miyakuni to play catch ball with him on Maishima, which he visited for his first tune-up, but Miyakuni told him that the voluntary training in Okinawa, which he asked for in the off-season of his first year, was "a period to get myself into a state where I can move. I refused, saying, "It's a period for me to get myself in shape to be able to move, and I want to do what I want to do and finish the training. The real reason, which he had not told Miyakuni, was that "I am not yet at the level to teach others. He refused because he felt that Miyakuni's growth would not be enhanced by accepting the training in a half-hearted state.
Considering that Miyakuni had maintained his place in the rotation during his second year and prepared himself for a spot on the main roster, he was invited to participate in voluntary training starting on New Year's Day this year. Miyakuni secured a spot on the main roster on May 5th, and was able to make his debut as a starter in a game against Nippon-Ham Fighters on May 8th (at Kyocera Dome).
Although the two men are on the same playing field as "baseball players," they rarely talk about baseball with each other. Miyagi doesn't give advice, and Miyakuni doesn't ask for it. "I'll answer if asked, but that's generally my style. Everyone has their own way of feeling and thinking, so it doesn't necessarily apply to everyone. I think he's doing things his own way, so I don't want to get in the way," says Miyagi, to which Miyakuni replies, "I'd like to ask him when my level improves." They maintain a good distance from each other, respecting one another.
According to Miyakuni, Miyagi, who had gone to the US for surgery, called him while he was still not fully awake from the anesthesia and said, "It's over now." It seems he won't be returning to Japan for a while yet for rehabilitation, but Miyakuni sent his best wishes, saying, "I can't wait to see him. I want to have a good chat about trivial things. He's a superstar, so I think he'll come back (as the ace) again. I hope he gets even stronger." He is looking forward to the day when he can catch with Miyagi during his rehabilitation period.
Interview and text by Masaki Kitano
