It had been a month since Iijima was demoted to the second team. Now, in mid-August, our Shizuoka Oceans were comfortably settled in fifth place, far from the zone that would qualify for the Climax Series. However, they were only five games away from the last place, so it seemed likely that they could avoid finishing last for the fourth consecutive year. With just one game behind the fourth place, there was even a chance of climbing another spot.
In the midst of this, Taniguchi, one of our draftmates who started on the second team, was promoted to the first team. Taniguchi had played in 72 games for the second team, and although his batting average was .243, he hit 19 home runs, making his promotion seem overdue.
(By the way, my stats in the minor league were: 43 games played, a batting average of .175, 0 home runs, 9 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases...)
Taniguchi was originally praised as a talented player alongside Taniguchi of the East and Hirai of the West. If it had not been for a bumper draft harvest, it would not have been surprising if he had been selected first overall by multiple teams. (Our year was known for having particularly outstanding pitchers.) As a result, his signing bonus was 80 million yen, the same as a high school graduate's first draft pick, and the team's expectations of him were completely different from those of a one-tool player with a batting average in the teens. In recent years, the team has struggled to develop young players capable of hitting home runs and has relied on foreign players, making Taniguchi a promising long-distance hitter.
"Well, I'm off now," Taniguchi said, slinging his bag over his shoulder as we headed to practice.
"Yeah, don't ever come back," Haratani joked.
Taniguchi turned to me and said, "Takashi, I'll be waiting for you there."
I was puzzled and instinctively looked up at the clear, blue, cloudless sky. It was a pleasant day. I guess summer is almost over.
Haratani said, "You idiot. That's not what he means. He means you might be the next person to be promoted to the first team."
As he saw Taniguchi off and headed toward the practice field, Haratani explained, "As the season draws to a close, teams that have no hope of winning the championship or participating in the Climax Series may start using younger players to prepare for the next season. My right shoulder pain hasn't gone away, and Mitamura hasn't even pitched for the second team yet. In that sense, Takashi, there's a chance you could be next."
"But my batting average is .175. I don't think that's possible."
"Baseball isn't just about hitting. There's also defense and base running. I still think those two could make you a first-string player."
I wondered if that was true. Well, I guess I'd just have to practice hard every day without expecting too much.
Mitamura chimed in, "Takashi, take me with you when you go."
Mitamura had been in good form in early spring, but just after the season started, he felt discomfort in his shoulder again and had to undergo surgery. This was his second surgery since turning professional, and he was likely battling daily anxiety about his full recovery. To ease his anxiety, he usually acted cheerful and silly.
Taniguchi had been with the first team during training camp, but this was his first promotion during the season. In his first game after the promotion, against the Shikoku Islands, he was immediately placed in the starting lineup as the eighth batter and left fielder. Taniguchi was the only high school graduate outfielder among my draft classmates. Although we played different positions, with me as an infielder, he was my rival. However, perhaps it was the bond of being draftmates that made us truly expect him to do well.
"Man-Gorilla" Hirai, my high school classmate, had hit a home run in his first professional at-bat, but what about Taniguchi? While practicing my batting swing in the training room, I watched Taniguchi's at-bat on TV.
The much-anticipated first at-bat. Taniguchi took three full swings and struck out on three pitches. It was a swing that looked like it would fly if it connected.
Coach Kimitsu was seen nodding on the television screen. I guess he was instructed to swing aggressively. The commentator also said, "You can really sense the aura of a power hitter."
On this day, Taniguchi had three at-bats: striking out twice and hitting a fly ball to right field. However, the last fly ball wasn't a bad hit. Well, maybe someday I will too, I thought, while doing weight training.
Taniguchi taken his first steps, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of envy and motivation. I knew I had to keep pushing myself if I wanted to join him on the first team.
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