After twenty years of professional baseball, including seven (2008-14) with the Hanshin Tigers, Hiroshima Carp first baseman Takahiro Arai announced his retirement effective at season’s end.
Despite a diminished role with the soon-to-be three-time CL champion Carp, Arai is a beloved teammate and player to all. Those who know him personally attest to his humility, approachability and good-hearted nature. He is always among the first dashing on the field in jubilation when teammates get walk-off hits (and it happens frequently with the Carp), and has had more than his share of memes made based off of his interesting poses and facial expressions.
Said ex-teammate (Hiroshima 1999-2002, Hanshin 2008-12) and current Hanshin manager Tomoaki Kanemoto: “I think he’s still physically able to play. He was like a little brother to me on and off the field. We often went out for meals together, and I talked to him about the importance of practice and always playing at our highest level.” (So we can blame our manager for some of those walkoff losses at Arai’s hands?) Kanemoto continued, “There were countless times that he left us saying “Dangit!” (or worse) at game’s end. But really, his personality and enthusiasm has been at the core of the Carp’s recent success for sure.”
Other Tigers chimed in about the announcement as well.
Kento Itohara, who collected three RBIs in a big win over the Carp on the day of the announcement, said, “He was my hero.”
Kosuke Fukudome, who only got to play with him for two seasons, said, “I’m really saddened by this. I learned from him what it takes to keep pressing forward no matter what. I have more to learn from him. I want our team, not just the Carp, to pick up on some of his greatness.”
Kyuji Fujikawa had this to say: “When you reach a certain age, that word (retirement) comes to mind at different times. The Carp are a really strong team right now, and I think they have Arai’s DNA to thank for it.”
Takashi Toritani simply said, “I’m sad whenever someone I played alongside retires. All I can say is that it’s too bad.”
Even ex-manager Akinobu Okada, who brought Arai over from Hiroshima in the 2007 offseason, said, “I think we would have won the pennant in 2008 if he hadn’t played in the Olympics and hurt himself over there. He’s a great player and he performed well for us while he was here.”
Finally, Ryota Arai, younger brother of Takahiro (and current Hanshin development coach) said, “What an incredible 20 years. I really respect him and am proud of him as a ballplayer and as my older brother. The season is almost over but I hope he burns brightly right through to the end.”
As a Hanshin fan from mid-2014 onward, I only got to see Takahiro Arai the pinch hitter. I didn’t think much of him then, and was kind of glad to see him leave. But as he racked up championships, accolades (2016 MVP) and hit milestones (2200 career hits on September 4), I can see that he was among the best of his generation. All the best in your post-career life, Mr. Arai! Thanks for thrilling baseball fans for two whole decades!