Shohei Otani Reached the regular pitching inning

Major League Baseball Angels Shohei Otani reached the regular pitching inning on the 5th with only 1 run in the 5th inning against the Athletics in the final game of the season.

This is the full text of the questions and answers from the Japanese and American media after the game.

"Personally, of course, overall I think it was good."

Q.Did you have blister before the game?

A. I was able to do it, but it feels like it's for the first time.

Q. Out of all the historical records from this season, what is the most impressive?

A. Not right now.

I almost forgot what happened before (laughs).

Q.Which finger?

A. It's the middle finger.

Q.I reached the prescribed number of pitches.

A.I'm not particular about it, but I guess you can't know until you really try it.

As opposed to doing one thing at a time, you won't know until you try whether or not you're following the rules when you're doing two things, and whether it's the number you should be aiming for.

Good to know that.

Q. You said before the season that last year's results would be the standard, but are these results what you expected?

A.Yes.

Of course, I personally think it was good overall, but it's a disappointing place to end today.

Originally, of course, it would be fine if it felt like the start or the real thing from here.

I want to aim for that and do it next year.

Next season ``First of all, can we get better results than last year?''

Q. Do you think the Angels will make the playoffs next year?

A. First of all, depending on whether you can leave better results than last year, whether you can help the team or not will be determined.

That's the part that I can personally do, and to be honest, it's not something I can do.

I don't know about that, but I'm looking forward to what the offseason will do.

Q. Do you think it has potential?

A. Yes, there are players who have risen to prominence this year, and if everyone can play like that, I think there will be plenty of opportunities.

When things don't go your way, including myself, if there are players who can cover it up, I think we'll be a better team.

Q. What is your evaluation of acting director Nevin?

A. I'm the one being evaluated, so it's hard to evaluate (laughs).

It was a difficult situation, or rather, it wasn't decided from the beginning, and I think I was doing it in a difficult situation from the middle.

Of course, I think the coach did everything he could, and I think the players did what they can do now, so I'd be happy if that leads to next year.

Q. Is there any possibility of extending the contract with the Angels this off?

.

Will it be put on hold until a new owner is found?

A. We haven't talked about anything yet, of course, the contract itself is only decided for next year.

We haven't talked about anything after that.

“The best thing was that I was able to pitch consistently every game.”

Q. What is your self-evaluation as a pitcher?

A. First of all, I think it was the best thing that I was able to throw every game stably.

I think the best thing is that I was able to go up to the mound in a healthy state every game, aside from getting tired.

If we can continue to do that next year and grow even more, I think we will be able to achieve even better results.

Q.In terms of hitting?

A. I was thinking that before the season, I would be able to hit nearly 30% in terms of batting average.

Among them, one challenge was how many home runs would come out.

The stalled ball in front of the fence was a little conspicuous, so I think that if there is a little more growth, both of them will grow.

Q Is it the effect of the ball?

AI think the impact of the ball is a little strong for hitting in the opposite direction.

I had a strong impression that the hit ball that had a good spin would not fly, but on the contrary, I had the impression that the hit ball that was pulled would not change much.

If I had the physical strength and swing strength that would allow me to hit a ball with spin in the opposite direction, I think I would have had better numbers.

Q. Did you set a record with $30 million next season?

A. I think it's one good thing that I was able to build a good relationship with the team at an early stage.

Since I get a lot, I think it's natural to be active, so I want to do my best next year.

"Doing the same thing as last year doesn't mean you're going to have the same numbers."

Q. Last year, one of the big themes was whether or not you could continue your two-sword style before the start of the season.

What did Shohei Ohtani fight this year?

A. It's the same every year, but it's not the case that the same numbers will remain even if we do the same thing as the previous year.

Rather, I think it will go down, and the same goes for the pitching that is hit, but if you don't do more than that, you won't improve.

As for pitching, I threw while trying various things this year, and I think that's the theme.

From next year onwards, if we can work even harder, I think we will be able to achieve even better numbers.

Q. It will be difficult to surpass yourself from last year with the results so far.

A. If we were to be on the defensive, we would only end up in a safe place.

I think it's important to want to get better and better and be able to pitch every game.

I think the more people say that they will hold back to a certain extent, the more they tend to go on the defensive, or the more they want to finish the match without incident, but it is important to be able to attack the match aggressively. I think that.

"I was able to improve my level while trying various things"

Q. What is the impression that your body has become stronger?

A. I had surgery for the first three years, so I think that was the biggest difference.

I wonder if the numbers will remain if I go up (to the mound) in a state where I can throw without worrying about strange pain or tension every game.

Including the recovery, I think it's a good thing that I was able to do it this past year.

Q. How did you keep your motivation in the tough situation as a team from the middle of the season?

A.To be honest, it was difficult to see what we were aiming for in August and September.

Especially in September, I think it's quite difficult in that respect, but the most important thing is to do what you can do.

I think I was able to improve my level while trying various things, so if I can continue from the beginning of next year, I think I might have a chance.

WBC "I want to think slowly while taking a break"

Q.What about WBC?

A.Since the season has just ended, I would like to relax and take a breather while thinking about it.

Q.Are you going to take it easy here or are you going back to your country soon?

A. I have work and other work left, so I'll include meetings.

I think I've been here for a while.

Including training.

Q. Do you want to do it if you are told by the manager of the Japan national team, Kuriyama, to do two things?

A. It's an honor.

I think the first thing is whether I can go out in perfect condition, including my physical condition.

I think it's time to slow down and reset my body and then go from there.

Q.Are you looking forward to appearing in the WBC as much as you can't go to the playoffs?

A. Postseason and WBC are separate.

I always wanted to go to the WBC, but last time I had ankle problems and other things, so I couldn't.

It was just that the timing wasn't right.

As for the postseason, I only watch it on TV every year, so I think everyone thinks that they really want to play.

Next season's contract "Isn't it good that we were able to get a good contract early?"

Q. Will the regular turn at bat and regular pitching times be based on this year's numbers?

A.Yes.

I realized that if I could get out in a stable manner, I could do both, but frankly, I don't think I'd force myself to go for it.

I don't think it's a pace or a place where you force your physical condition to break down.

Q. Did you sign the contract early because you could take your time off?

Is preparation for WBC also a reason?

A.It has nothing to do with WBC.

Of course, there are various reasons, but I think it was good for both of us, the team, and myself that we were able to sign a good contract early, looking ahead to the next season.

Q. There was a time in August when you hit a home run and didn't look happy.

After that, I have the impression that your emotions have returned again, but did you have any changes in your mind?

A. I'm not so conscious of it.

However, there were many injured people, and it was difficult for the team in that area.

For the next season, “I want to win the most”

Q. What does Ohtani have to do or is he trying to do for the Angels to win?

A. Last year, I think that the team will be assembled based on calculations that they will perform to some extent in this year's numbers, so if they can't perform like this, I think the calculations will go out of order little by little.

As for what I can do for myself, I think the best thing to do is to continue with this year's numbers, or to make them even better.

Q. About being able to perform at a higher level, even during your time with Nippon-Ham.

A.In terms of numbers, it's not much different from last year.

I think that if there is something strange, the pace will collapse, so it was a long year, but I think it was good that I was able to continue while recovering well every game.

Q. What about next season?

A. Because I want to win the most.

I want to do my best with the feeling that this is the real thing.