Hanshin Tigers Relief Pitcher daichi Ishii Reflects on Emotional Championship Win
Kobe, Japan – Hanshin Tigers relief pitcher Daichi Ishii shared deeply personal reflections on the team’s recent championship victory, describing it as a profoundly more meaningful experience than their previous title two years prior.The emotional weight of this win, he explained, stems from the team’s collective journey and a shift in mindset fostered by manager Fujikawa.
This year’s championship carries a unique resonance for Ishii and the Tigers, contrasting sharply with their 2023 triumph. While the previous win came with a roster largely unfamiliar with championship success, the current team understands the pressure and expectation of sustained excellence. The victory marks the Hanshin Tigers’ first Japan Series title as 1985, ending a 38-year drought and igniting celebrations across the Kansai region. The team now prepares to represent Japan in international competition, while fans anticipate a new era of dominance.
Ishii credited Manager Fujikawa’s guidance – specifically, the directive to “Don’t think I’ll win” - as pivotal to the team’s success. He explained that focusing on the process, preparation, and execution of individual roles, rather than obsessing over the outcome, allowed the players to perform at their best. “If the team has to keep winning in good condition and staying in top position,the idea of winning is ahead of the results. I become obsessed with winning and become unable to do anything I could. So you shouldn’t think ‘I have to win.’ I think that focusing on what I’ve done up until now and on my own preparations is what the director calls ‘completely doing everything in general.'”
The pitcher also revealed a particularly poignant moment during the season: his wife’s emotional reaction while visiting him in the hospital after being hit in the head by a pitch. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a broad perspective and accepting that setbacks are unavoidable. “In a situation where the score is two points, it’s like, ‘It can’t be helped by one point. There’s still no tie. Let’s stop making a comeback.’ No matter what you think, there are times when you get hit. If the range of ‘it has to be like this’ is too narrow, it will be tough. I’ll try to keep my tolerance wider.”
Throughout the season, Ishii stated the team operated under a “zero-consensus goal,” focusing solely on fulfilling individual responsibilities. “We have been playing a zero-consensus goal this season, but I really don’t think about anything. I was just thinking about doing my job.”