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Chiba: Mr. Oh, congratulations on hitting home run number 756. I was
watching on TV, and I couldn't help jumping out of my seat when you did it.
Oh: Thank you. I was only able to do it because I had everyone's
support.
Chiba: After that home run, you raised your arms in celebration. You
don't usually express much joy, even after hitting a home run.
Oh: That's right. Our manager [Shigeo Nagashima], during his playing
days, would express joy with his whole body after hitting a home run, but I
just can't do that. Kuni-san [Hitting Coach Akira Kunimatsu] always tells me: “The
fans are happy for you, so you should gesture in response.” But... I'm just not
a showman by nature.
Chiba: I think if you take even more time to round the bases, that
would be good. But you're being yourself, Mr. Oh, and I think that's
great.
Oh: When one tries too hard to look a certain way, isn't that strange? Anyway... about number 756... fans all over Japan were eager to see it, and so were my teammates. I didn't want to make them wait. So when I got it done,
Oh: When one tries too hard to look a certain way, isn't that strange? Anyway... about number 756... fans all over Japan were eager to see it, and so were my teammates. I didn't want to make them wait. So when I got it done,
I was really happy.
Chiba: Around May and June, when you were in a slump, some people
said you might not be able to break the record this year [1977]. How did you
feel about it?
Oh: As long as one keeps practicing, the slump will pass. Once that
happens, I will be able to do it. That's what I was thinking.
Chiba: I also play baseball, on a team called the Whiters. We're all
manga artists [graphic storytellers].
Oh: What position do you play?
Chiba: Center field. We've played at Korakuen Stadium [then
home of the Yomiuri Giants].
Oh: Last season, I played right field a bit. Outfielders have no one
else around. It's a very lonely position, isn't it?
Chiba: I'm hoping you'll teach me about hitting, Mr. Oh.
Oh: Batting varies from person to person, so there isn't one
particular way. But I can say one thing for sure: the first thing is to see the
ball well. Not just see it, but focus everything you have on the ball.
Chiba: So that's why you look so stern when you're in the batter's
box...
Oh: Also, never tense up before you hit. The only time you exert is
the moment the bat makes contact with the ball. That's why my swing looks
slower than others'.
Chiba: I'm lucky to receive such valuable advice. Are there any
secrets to your one-legged stance?
Oh: When you raise the leg, squeeze the inside muscles, from your
thigh to your knee.
Chiba: Speaking of practice, in 'Captain,' the characters are always
practicing. They practice so much you wonder if they'll still be able to play
at game time.
Oh: I know. I always read the latest issue.
Chiba: Really?
Oh: The first captain, Taniguchi, is now in 'Playball,' in a weekly comic, right? Also, that short guy, Igarashi. He's pretty good.
Chiba: I'm sure Igarashi is thrilled to hear that from you, Mr. Oh.
The next captain will be this guy, Kondo [illustrated in photo]. He will
succeed Igarashi.
Oh: Oh yes, Kondo... that jumpy kid. I'm not sure that's going to
work out. Can he live up to the responsibilities of a captain? I'm concerned.
Chiba: I'm worried, too.
Oh: By the way, Sumiya Junior High School No. 2 [the fictional
school featured in 'Captain'] is in the Shitamachi part of Tokyo, right? I grew
up in Shitamachi, so I feel a connection. You grew up in Shitamachi, too,
right?
Chiba: Yes. Mr. Oh, I heard that in junior high school, you played
in the Teiko Grounds in Sumida Park. I played there, too.
Oh: Oh, sure, I played there. That brings back good memories. When I
was a child, my days were filled with baseball, every day.
Chiba: Did you read manga?
Oh: Of course. It was a monthly magazine that came with many bonus
gifts.
Chiba: Mr. Oh, I hope you keep hitting home runs — even after number
800 — and that you'll continue to extend your record. I'll also be rooting for
you to win the Japan Series.
Oh: 'Captain' is fun to read. I hope you'll make it even more so.
[End]
Source (w/ photo of Oh and Chiba holding a drawing of Kondō, autographed by both. An illustration of Oh by Chiba is also posted):
http://plaza.across.or.jp/~furano/captain/essei/tuitou98.html
(Encoding may need to be changed to “Japanese (Shift_JIS)”)
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