“It’s an honor” to work with Pujols from 2018 to midway through last season
On the 23rd (Japan time 24th), pitcher Shohei Ohtani of the Angels won his 14th win once morest the Twins, with 7 strikeouts, 3 hits and 2 runs during the 6th inning. He reached 200 strikeouts in a season in the fourth inning, making him the fourth Japanese pitcher to strike out. He batted and hit a timely hit in the middle of the 7th inning. After the game, he also noted that his former colleague, Cardinals infielder Albert Pujols, became just the fourth player in history to reach 700.
A great record for a former teammate who is too great. Ohtani was more pleased with the feat of his senior slugger than his own 14th win.
“I don’t know what he thinks regarding it, but it’s completely different, and I don’t know if he’ll go to 700 or not. Of course, it’s amazing that he’s hitting that far, but I think it’s a big deal. Together. It’s an honor to be able to play even a little bit in 2018, and I’m really hitting hard enough that I wonder if it’s going to end this year.
Played from 2018, the first year of the major, to early May last year. Before the opening of 2018, he changed to a batting form that does not raise his right leg. It is said that Pujols was behind the drastic remodeling of the batting.
“The reason why I decided to do the heel down was because I saw Pujols. In that sense, I was greatly influenced by the way I practiced, but there is a secret to doing it for such a long time. I think it was a great experience and an honor to be able to see it up close.”
Last season, he hit 46 home runs, which was third in the league, and this season, he is demonstrating his punching power with 34 home runs. The existence of a 42-year-old slugger is important for two-sword style.
(Masaya Kotani)