"I am truly enjoying my life in Japan."

The person saying this with a smile is Rakuten Eagles' slugger, Voit. He joined the team last July and made a spectacular NPB debut on his first day with a home run as a greeting, ultimately recording a team-high 13 Home Run. He has made it a tradition to end his post-game interviews on the podium with a fluent "Tohoku is the best!" in Japanese, and is now a beloved and indispensable foreign player for the team, especially among Tohoku fans. This time, we asked Voit to talk about his roots and his life in Japan.

It all started with "T-ball" and my childhood was spent being captivated by Mark McGuire.

Born and raised in St. Louis, in eastern Missouri, Voight's roots lie in T-ball, a sport he started playing at the age of four. T-ball is a sport similar to baseball or softball, but without pitcher; players hit a ball placed on a tee. Realizing his potential there, Voight went on to hone his skills seriously with a local baseball team.

When Voit was a child, Mark McGwire, who was then with the Cardinals and is now a special assistant for player development with the Athletics, was a hero in St. Louis. And Voit was one of the boys who was captivated by McGwire's playing style.

"He was my idol. I had all sorts of merchandise: posters, baseball, souvenirs, bats... I even had McGwire's 'Big Stick' bat, and I would play Wiffleball in the yard with my brothers and swing it around at ball park. I'm nowhere near his level, but my playing style was also shaped by my admiration for him."

Thus, Voit, who grew up as a Cardinals fan, made his major league debut in 2017, wearing jersey of his beloved Cardinals, at Busch Stadium, a place he frequented often.

"It was truly amazing. I grew up as a Cardinals fan, and then I made my major league debut with the Cardinals. My second or third career home run landed in 'Big Mac Land' (a billboard area in left field named after McGwire's nickname) at Busch Stadium, our home field. That was truly a moving experience. St. Louis is a city where baseball is very popular, so my love baseball definitely grew up in that city."

As he reminisced about those times, Voit spoke with a nostalgic look on his face. Just as Voit was back then, following in McGuire's footsteps and aiming to become a professional, there are probably many children in Tohoku who admire Voit's playing style and are working hard in practice with the goal of becoming professionals themselves. To those children, he offers the following advice based on his own experiences.

"The reason I've been able to get this far is simply because I've worked incredibly hard. The important thing is to discipline yourself and dedicate yourself to it. That's not just about swinging the bat or taking ground balls. It includes taking care of your body, managing your nutrition, and all those other aspects. It's the accumulation of small things that matters."

The differences between Japan-U.S. baseball, which even the 2020 American League Home Run champion struggled with.

In 2020, despite the shortened season due to the coronavirus, Voit joined Rakuten Eagles with a solid track record, including winning the American League Home Run title. However, he reflects on his first year last season, saying, "I struggled at first, and it took me some time to get used to it."

He said he particularly struggled with the speed of pitcher' quick motions, explaining, "In America, pitcher don't pay that much attention to runner' movements, but in Japan, there are a lot of stolen base, bunts, and hit-and-run plays." He revealed that he struggled with the differences in playing styles between Japan and the US. However, Voit took a positive view of it, saying it "gave him new insights."

"Compared to the current Major League style of 'struck out or extra-base hit,' I feel that Japan is closer to 'good old baseball,' and that has made baseball more enjoyable. In America, players practice individually, each doing their own routine, but in Japan, the whole team works together. You're expected to fulfill your role, like bunting or hit-and-run plays, so the team aspect is definitely strong, and it's not just a world of data. That creates a sense of unity like a 'family,' which is refreshing and comfortable. I really like it."

He also said that he really likes Japanese culture, not just baseball.

"The level of baseball is higher than I imagined, but the culture is also wonderful, and above all, it's very safe. The team has been very supportive of my family, which has been a great help. Gaining experience in Japan is truly wonderful, and I can understand why so many foreign players choose to stay here."

Despite joining the team mid-season, Voit quickly integrated thanks to his excellent adaptability and communication skills. During the offseason, he focused on training as much as possible while also spending as much time as he could with friends, relatives, and family. With a smile, he said, "My family is planning to come to Japan in April, and I'm really looking forward to it. I miss my family, after all." With the support of his family, he will be in top condition for his second season in Japan.

To be continued in Part 2.

Interview by Shintaro Takebayashi
Written by Manyuko Goto