Tadahito Iguchiis a Japanese second baseman currently playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines. As a member of the Chicago White Sox in 2005, he became the second Japanese-born player to win the World Series... (wikipedia)
Unfortunately, I've decided to withdraw from the squad. I informed manager Sadaharu Oh of my decision by fax yesterday.
I don't know what order I will be batting in the end. I would like to try a lot of different positions. That is something that will have to be proven in the camp, but in order to become the World Series champs once again I decided to come to camp.
There are six games left in the series so we don't have to feel disappointed, ... We can make this series interesting if we start playing our style of baseball.
Our pitching staff is not in good form recently, so we need to provide support with good offense and fielding.
I was trying to shorten up my take-back and get to the ball quicker, but my balance got off. Every year I try to do something different and improve my skills. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, I'll go back to the old way.
I still need to take a close look at my batting mechanics, but I'm just hoping that I'll able to continue playing like this.
We played the game the right way. If you play the game the right way, do all the little things, good things can happen.
Even if I hit sixth or seventh, I'm still going to try and have the same batting approach as if I was hitting second. As far as the comment Ozzie made, he's the manager and he's going to make the decisions.
Every year I try to do something different. I try to improve my skills. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, I go back to the old way.
As far as the playoffs themselves, there's not really much difference, ... The fact I was able to hit this home run this first year playing, I'm very happy.
As far as being asked to play in the WBC, I am incredibly happy and incredibly honored to be asked. It just didn't work out this year. I definitely wanted to perform here in the camp in the beginning, especially with the change in the batting order.
It was fun just to come to this park. It was my first trip to Safeco. Yesterday, Ichiro hit his 13th and today I battled back with my 13th.
It was fun just to come to this park, ... It was my first trip to Safeco. Yesterday, Ichiro hit his 13th and today I battled back with my 13th.
I'm trying to shorten up my (back swing) and trying to get to the ball quicker, but it's not quite right. My balance has been off, and I'm not getting to the point at the right time.
I'm out there trying to make a positive play, and it turns out to be negative. It's tough to take. More than forget about it, I want to make sure it never happens again.
I definitely want to build my batting average. I also think I can start running more this year. I've always wanted to be put in that position and to hit and run more.
You know players are asked to deliver better in their second seasons than in their rookie years. Hitting .300 with 30 or more stolen bases ? that's my goal and hopefully I'll be in the World Series again by fulfilling my role on the team.
All this year I've been fooled by Wells' curves, ... I went out trying to hit today, and I'm happy it happened.