Ryuji Nakatani (37), a childhood friend of Rakuten Eagles Eagles pitcher Kenta Kenta Maeda (38), who was his battery mate in elementary, middle, and high school and accompanied him to his off-season training in January, sent a congratulatory message while reflecting on past events.

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Congratulations on your first win since returning to Japan. First of all, I'm just happy for you. Kenta and I live near each other and have been together since we were little. Going to school together, playing together. Kenta was playing soccer at first, but I invited him to baseball and join the same team. He quickly became better than me. His talent, attitude towards baseball, and hard work were amazing, so I knew he would become this good a player. But if I hadn't invited him, professional baseball player Kenta Maeda might never have been born. He always gives a wry smile when I say that, but he should be grateful once in a while (laughs).

We've been battery mates throughout elementary, middle, and high school, so I know exactly what he's thinking. I hardly remember him ever shaking his head at a sign. Sometimes he'll start winding up before I even give the sign, making me think "I haven't given the sign yet!" and making me a little impatient, but since we're thinking in sync, it's no problem. Those are just memories that are typical of us. (At PL Gakuen) I also fulfilled my dream of playing in Koshien with Kenta.

Six years ago, I started catching Kenta's pitches during his off-season training. It's a tradition that I'm the first one to throw in bullpen each year. When I caught his pitches during this year's off-season training, I honestly told him what I thought. "You're different from last year. You can do it this year." He hasn't declined, and his pitches are still fast. I've been with him and watching him all this time, so I thought he would do it this year. When we all got together after he returned to Japan, he was talking about aiming for 200 wins, and I could see his determination as soon as I watched him during his off-season training. He was also adjusting earlier than usual, and his resolve was evident in all his actions.

One last thing. I'm watching with bated breath, but be careful with the first batter in the first inning! If you can closer, I can relax. If closer can't get the first batter out, my body won't be able to handle it and I might not be able to be your training partner next year (lol). Just be careful about that and do your best without getting injured. Good job, nice pitching!