During the official '2014 SUZUKI Japan-U.S Baseball' conference, manager of the Japan national team, Hiroki Kokubo, did not break his stern expression once.
'There are many top players who Japanese fans will know well, so I'm excited about what's coming. And there is plenty of reason to fight hard in this exhibition, as we look to regain the WBC in 2017.' The first words out of Kokubo's mouth showed his resolved.
Let's turn back the clock 80 years to 1934. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig came to Japan. All Japanese teams played them, but lost all 16 games, demonstrating an overwhelming difference in ability. Also, starting with the Japan-US game at this time, the 'Dai Nippon Tokyo Baseball Club (later Yomiuri Giants)' were formed. It can indeed be said that the Japan-US game built the cornerstone of Japan pro baseball.
In attendance at the press conference, Commissioner Katsuhiko Kumazaki made a declaration of this tournament's importance: 'For this 80th year anniversary of the Japan-US game, the representatives of Japan will be wearing their Samurai Japan uniforms, not their respective team uniforms, and play these build-up games to win.
Concerning the first Samurai Japan squad for the Japan-US game, MLB's Japan Managing Director Jim Small mentioned that looking back on Japan-US baseball history, it's clear that the Japan-US game is heading into a new phase.
'Our goal is to build the team people call the 'best.' Our values are different than previous Japan-US games. The WBC exists now and players' feelings have changed too. In the past, Japanese and American players played for their own pride or to demonstrate their abilities to the world. However, Japan has become number one in the world twice in the WBC, and fans on both sides of the Pacific want to see who really is better. We will be putting forth a serious effort to prove that the major leagues are number one in the world.'
An impressive cast of major leaguers befitting those words were also announced. The one taking the conductor's staff is manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers, home to Yu Darvish. Four players are scheduled to join the team: MVP of previous WBC Robinson Cano (Mariners), 4-time All-star Adam Jones (Orioles), breakout 'Cuban Monster' Yasiel Puig (Dodgers), and almost certain future Hall-of-Famer Albert Pujols (Angles). The official member list, including Japanese MLB players, will be officially announced in late September.
In addition, several new rules have been introduced to the Japan-US Game. With sites on all international tournaments starting with the WBC, a pitch count limit and tie-breaker system have been put in place. Manager Kokubo said, 'Today was the first I heard about the rule thing. I'm considering calling 2 or 3 more starters to add to the number of games (6 games including friendlies). It might be necessary to have another starting pitcher come in, instead of a relief pitcher. The tie-break is a rule that most of the players and myself as manager have not played with before, so it should be good experience,' already turning his mind to the player selection process.
The Japan-US Game has greatly contributed to development and globalization of baseball in both countries. This 80th anniversary is an opportunity to provide a landmark tournament leading into a new stage of 'True World Champion.'
