“Will there be a media session for Ohtani?”
On the 21st (Japan time 22nd), Angels pitcher Shohei Otani participated in the match once morest the Tigers in the enemy area as “No. He suffered his eighth loss of the season (10 wins). The team announced that it was a viral gastroenteritis. After the match, Ohtani said, “Is it just a simple fatigue? I haven’t recovered (vomiting, etc.), so I think I’m okay, but I want to switch back and do my best.”
I don’t think that only two-sword style full rotation and team slump led to “gastroenteritis”. If there is a difference between last season and this season, it will be mentioned that the eyes of the surroundings have increased. Before the All-Star game this summer, Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter, muttered in surprise in the locker room.
“There are a lot of media people today. Isn’t it the most so far?”
It’s not just the number of reporters. Ohtani’s media correspondence is basically only on the pitching day, but during the White Sox expedition in May this year, he was directly hit by the local Chicago media regarding Seiya Suzuki when he appeared as a fielder. “Will there be an Ohtani media session?” Not just Chicago. Miami, Baltimore, Atlanta and many media wanted to hear the raw voice.
In dealing with the media on the day before the All-Star game, not only Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Taiwan, but also the overseas media in the Spanish-speaking world created double and triple crowds. In addition, the rest day the day following All-Star was also a “half-rest”, saying, “I can relax in the followingnoon.” Busyness that can never concentrate on playing. For Ohtani, who was called a “megastar” by Astros Baker, it’s a barrier to overcome.
Previously, Otani’s mother, Kayoko, said that from the day before a school event such as a sports day, Otani might not suppress his “excitement” and tended to get sick on the day. “We call him Superman, but he’s a human being,” said acting director Nevin on the same day. Ohtani is also a human being.
Not to mention reaching the first double rule in history, and the MVP battle with the Yankees judge enters the climax. I hope that he will overcome the fate of a superstar and shine.
(Masaya Kotani)
