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Hanshin pitcher Randy Messenger (36) received domestic free agency status on April 16th. Here is his press conference:
Congratulations on earning domestic free agency status.
Arigato gozaimasu.
About Hanshin…
I’m really proud of the fact that I am the first import in team history to get free agent status.
You spoke of how you love the Tigers…
And that hasn’t changed. The team has given me a lot of chances and continues to offer me contracts. Of course, they wouldn’t do that if I wasn’t getting results, but I’m thankful that the team continues to give me chances.
Did you ever think you’d reach this point when you first came to Japan?
To tell the truth, when I first heard that it would take 8 years to be given “Japanese” status, I thought “that’s a long time!” But now that day has come. It’s crazy. But I’m so thankful that the team keeps giving me the chance to play, and I’m proud of what I’ve done.
You heard from Hanshin chairman Tanimoto…
Yeah, it’s an honor, I’m really grateful. That someone in as high as position as him would wish me congratulations. It’s an honor, and I’m full of thanksgiving.
Just 32 more wins until you break the record for most wins by an import.
Of course I’m aware of that. Like I always say, if I am able to play long enough, I want all the gaijin records. I know it will take awhile, but by the time I leave Japan, I really want to take home the innings, strikeouts and wins records for imports.
Thoughts of playing for another team?
No, no, no, no.
Did chairman Tanimoto request that you stay with Hanshin?
Of course, yeah he did. Like I always say, I want to end my career here (with Hanshin). I have absolutely no intention of going to another club. If you don’t know that by now, then the translators aren’t doing their job! (laughs)
You were ejected from your last outing for arguing with the ump. Have you hit the reset button in preparation for your next start (the 18th against Chunichi)?
Of course. I started resetting right after the game. In a lot of ways we have to remember that we are humans, and we make mistakes. So as soon as the last game ended, I left it behind me and started to think about the upcoming start.
Finally, what is the secret to fitting in so well with Japanese baseball?
If I could narrow it down to one thing, it would be so easy to impart to incoming foreigners. But there’s no one thing. I guess just practice really hard, and don’t lose sight of who you are. There are only 5 other teams in our league, and we face the same hitters a bunch of times. If you approach their lineup the same way every time, they will make adjustments. They do their homework, so you have to change it up some. But you also can’t lose sight of who you are. You have to make adjustments and put in the time in practice. That’s the key to success, I think.