The Hanshin Tigers announced on Tuesday that they would not be tendering a contract to infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka in 2019. The 34-year old started his career with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2003, attempted to play in the majors with the Minnesota Twins, after which he was picked up by the Tigers for the 2013 season. His first season was quite productive, but injuries kept him from having an impact in any of his other seasons.
He made this statement on his Instagram account:
I’m writing this soon after I woke up at 5:50am on October 2, before my alarm went off. Upon getting home from last night’s game, I looked up at the night sky and was blown away with how beautiful it was.
Dear Hanshin Tigers fans and friends of the team,
I am taking off my Hanshin Tigers uniform for the final time at season’s end. That might sound cool, but actually I was informed on October 1 that I was being cut. Chalk it up as yet another first-time experience. When given that news, I could have cooly announced my retirement and sailed off into the sunset, but after lying on the ground at Koshien Stadium in 2016 after rupturing my Achilles tendon, and telling myself then that I was retiring, I feel more than ever that baseball is my life!
I had set the goal for myself that I wanted to declare my retirement on my own terms, but was unable to fulfill my mission. Back to the drawing board!
When I wake up in the morning, I set goals for my day. At the start of the month, I set goals for the month ahead. At the start of the year, I set goals for the upcoming season. I even have post-retirement goals!
I spent from May to September on the farm this season. It was the first time in my career, injuries and rehab aside, that I had spent so long on the farm for poor results. At first I was sure that I would make my way up to the top squad right away, but the months went by and I didn’t get called up. I started to ask myself, what was the point of still putting on the uniform at age 34? But then I realized that there are a lot of guys in my situation doing the same thing, and I looked at my situation on the farm carefully.
Young players are desperately chasing down their dreams. But then I also got to see guys approaching 30 with all sorts of thoughts going through their heads as they desperately and worriedly fight for their families, their fans, and themselves. At 34, I was the oldest guy being put into the lineup day in and day out. When I got sent to the farm early in the year, I immediately set a goal that at worst, I would crawl my way back up to the top squad before my birthday on July 27. I wasn’t able to accomplish my goal, though.
Right around then, I started to wonder if it was really OK for me to be taking playing time away from the younger guys on the farm. I fretted over when would be best for me to go to Coach Yano and ask him to start using the younger guys instead of me. I let that thought fester inside of me for a week, and as I put it off that long, a word came into my mind: retirement.
As those thoughts were contrary to the direction I really wanted to go in, I slowly adjusted my mindset, looking for something to keep me cheerful and motivated on the farm. My motivation started to come from a desire to see the farm team win the Western League pennant. That, and just supporting others.
I have nothing but thanks and appreciation for Coach Yano and his putting me in the lineup every day. I learned a lot sitting in on Coach Yano’s postgame team meetings, where he went into really deep detail with the young guys, but he always made himself easy to understand, too. Also, Coach Tsutsui! You were the only coach I felt comfortable getting advice from. You always looked me in the eye and said, “Tsuyoshi! You’ll be fine, you’re a winner! Get out there and get ‘er done!” I’m sure all the young guys are grateful to have met a coach like you, too.
Also, Mr. Kakefu, who was the first person to contact me and come visit me in the hospital after I ruptured my Achilles. Thank you so much for caring so much about me!
I also want to thank Coach Wada for putting so much trust and expectation on me in my first year with the team back in 2013. And I have to apologize to Coach Kanemoto for not living up to his expectations, even though he gave me chance upon chance after all my injuries.
I cannot express enough how thankful I am to the Hanshin Tigers organization, who put up with my injuries and still offered me contracts, and giving me a chance to play professional baseball. The fact that someone was always there to support me no matter what happened was what allowed me to continue putting on the team’s uniform, no doubt about it.
Of course, the fans gave me all the strength I needed, too. The power of your cheering is immeasurable!
My new goal is the same one I had when I was a little kid: to be a professional ball player – that is my goal right now! And if I can’t reach that goal? I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it!
The feeling I got when I was told I was cut from the team is a valuable experience. Shrugging it off very seldom leads to better results the next time, so don’t think that I’m taking this lightly.
Finally, I want to thank the Hanshin Tigers fans for six years. I’m so sorry for all the repeated injuries! I was so moved by your cheering when I returned from injuries, that it gave me goosebumps. To me, Hanshin Tigers fans are extremely warm-hearted and kind. I’m choked that I was unable to bring a championship to this team and its awesome fans, because they deserve it. Thank you so much for your passionate cheering!
I will make it my goal to return to Koshien soil again as a pro ball player. I know this has not been an easy season, and this is just me talking about myself, but I really wanted the fans to know my true feelings.
Finally, I want to ask forgiveness from all the media outlets for my making this announcement public on my social media account before your stories went out! Forgive me please!