Source: Sponichi 1 / Sponichi 2 / Sponichi 3
Hanshin Tigers pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa (40) announced on August 31st his intention to retire at season’s end. On September 1, he held a press conference in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo.
Kyuji Fujikawa (KF): I want to thank the team first and foremost, but also all of you, for coming to this press conference despite the fact that we are midseason and the Tigers are about to embark on a 13-game stretch here.
Congratulations on a 22-year career.
KF: There are still two months to go before you can say that – I’m still gearing up for what’s left.
How do you feel about the decision you’ve made to retire?
KF: Well, the first time I ever thought about retiring was when I was 27. That’s the position I am in… whenever I put on the uniform, that is my mindset. I got released when I was in the majors. I have had multiple setbacks, and last year I was able to overcome the challenge I placed on myself. Then there’s whether or not I am contributing to the team. It’s not about me, it’s about whether or not I am a good enough player for the Tigers, a needed piece in the army, so-to-speak, and if there are other better options, then so be it. That’s the way I looked at this. It’s natural that things go this way. Also, if I am unable to get my body into good enough shape to hold up for the whole season, then I have failed as a professional athlete. That I was able to make it this far is just happenstance.
When did you reach this decision to retire?
KF: When? Every day (laughs). I told the team in August. But even before that, I met with team officials and we talked about it. Either way, I knew that this year would be my last.
And the biggest reason for retiring?
KF: My motto all along has been that if the Tigers have a six-game week, I want to be prepared to throw in all six. But of course some weeks we only had 3-4 games. Anyways, this season at the start of the year, I started to feel weird even if I pitched two games in a row. My body did not respond well. I had felt like the end was coming soon, but I also pushed through that feeling for a long time. I guess this time, the end is really here.
How is your body feeling now?
KF: My condition? I am going to do what I can to support our manager for the next two months. Whether it’s on the top squad or the farm, the time might come when the team needs me. I am going to get myself ready to answer the call. I have to keep my condition under wraps for now. As long as there’s an enemy to defeat, I want to be ready to throw against them, and so I am going to keep moving forward until season’s end.
What is the thinking behind the timing of your announcement?
KF: Of course, I have been thinking about retirement for years, and speaking with the club about it all along. Like, when we do contract renewals, I always told them that I might retire midway through the next season if I feel the timing is right for me. That’s who I am. But as that becomes a reality, I have realized that this is about the Tigers and the pride of wearing this uniform, and I need to push through to the end of the year, no matter what. That’s how I’ve been feeling about it lately. Wait, what was the question again? Oh right. So the coronavirus comes into play as well. We normally play in front of 45,000 fans at Koshien, and there are also thousands of fans at all of our games, no matter where we play. If I had waited too long to announce my retirement, there might be some fans who want to see me on the mound one last time, but because of the limit of 5000 fans at every game, they would miss out on that chance. So I talked to the club and asked them to let me make the announcement early in the season. And one more thing. With this being such a popular club and lots of reports and rumors floating around all the time, I wanted to make sure fans heard it directly from me instead of through an information leak.
Who did you consult about this decision?
KF: No one. I didn’t really consult with anyone, but I did think about team balance. In my own way, I thought about what the best timing would be for the team. Like, in America when I got released, that day became my last. This time it’s different. I have an obligation to this team, and I want to fulfill it right until the last day.
When did you tell your family?
KF: I always tell them everything. When I got cut in the majors, that happened twice, mind you… one of those times, I had a doctor checking on my elbow, I had no contract offer. Then there was the independent league, too. As far as my family goes, I have become an old man, so they’re like, yeah, no worries if you want to hang them up already. My constant mindset is this, though. Whenever I quit, I know that the life I live afterwards is going to be even more interesting. I say that to my family and other people around me all the time. Life is not just baseball. It might take time for me to figure out what my next goal or dream is, and that might be a tough period in my life, but when you reach the age of 40, bigger and greater things await, in my opinion.
So you’re seeing this as a positive decision, then?
KF: I said this to my wife. I still have 30+ years to live, and I want to live even happier than I do now. I have a plan, we talk about it, and even just talking about it brings joy.
How do you feel about your family?
KF: I’m going to keep playing baseball for two more months, then talk more about this. There will be plenty of time for that later. Lots of players throughout history have retired, and even some who are younger than me already hung their cleats up. There’s also the coronavirus to think about now. I will ultimately settle down with some fine wine and talk about this in my timing.
What did you say to manager Yano?
KF: I told him, but I didn’t tell it to Yano Kantoku (manager). I told it to Yano-san. As a manager, he has the freedom to use me as he sees fit for the next two-and-a-half months. If he doesn’t deem me good enough, then he has the freedom to choose other players for the job. But I talked to Yano-san. I said to him, “Yano-san, I want to talk to you now, not over the phone, not player-to-manager… Can you hear me out?” Kind of a wimpy approach isn’t it.
And what was his reaction?
KF: He took it like a manager would, haha. It was a really short talk. Probably best that way.
What did you say, exactly?
KF: Can we stop talking about this? (laughs) That was between me and Yano-san. His facial expression was what it always is on the bench. I mean, he’s my manager!
And have you told your teammates?
No. We play night games from like 6 pm until 10 pm… during those 4 hours, we have such strong teamwork, but outside of those hours, we are not friends. We can be friends after I retire. I went to the majors and played in Kochi, but I really don’t have many friends.
So you have a lot of things you want to say after you retire?
KF: Who cares what some retired guy wants to say about anything? We have to think about the fans, and winning. That’s all.
You have more mound appearances than any other pitcher in team history over your 22 years. Thoughts?
KF: Well, I have two-and-a-half months left in this joyous career. I have done my best, and I feel like I have contributed to the team, but really, from age 25 until now I have pitched every game as though it might be my last. I love warrior stories, so the expression “work myself to the bone” comes to mind. (2 minutes of silence as he fights back tears) I think one of the best things about my career is that I have always been able to think ahead, rather than look back. That’s what it all comes down to. Look forward, not back. I’m really not that strong of a person, truth be told.
What do the fans mean to you?
KF: They’re family. We work together to defeat the enemy… it’s so lonely this year without them at the stadium.
Thoughts about the Koshien mound…
KF: I grew up with the name Kyuji (baseball kid), so it raises a bit of suspicion in people… not sure how many Japanese people have that name, but the Koshien mound was like a mother to me.
You were a starter, reliever and closer. That 9th inning mound must have had a special place in your heart.
KF: It’s kind of rude and arrogant for me to say it was special and unique to me. What I did on that mound was for my family, for the fans in the stands, for people who have been fans of this team since before I was even born. There’s pride in that. People might think that we are out there having the time of our lives, but to me, the enjoyment of being on the mound comes after the game is over. While we are on the field, we are doing our jobs for our families, our fans… they are innumerable. I have nothing but respect and appreciation for the fans in the right-field stands. I’ll enjoy my career after all is said and done, though.
The top squad starts the second half of the season today. What do you expect from this season?
KF: I have always thought that any given season would be my last, so I have absolutely no regrets about this decision. I’m going to leave it all out on the field. But I do want to say this to the rest of the guys. Don’t let a guy who’s on his way out the door take your jobs from you! If you can’t do better then me, you’re no good. We have to beat the Giants, that’s my hope for this team. I’m leaving it in their hands.
A lot of fans want you to be on the mound when the team wins the pennant and the Japan Series…
KF: I appreciate the sentiment for sure. But winning is not as simple as that makes it sound. We have to use everyone in our organization to win, and the manager has to figure out how to piece it together. I love the Sengoku Period, and I am always reminded that I might collapse out there on the (battle) field, but I’ve also seen a lot of others before me do the same. (Tears) Someone’s going to do it. Every guy out there has to think “I’m the one.” When you put on the Tigers uniform, you’re not an individual anymore. Everyone has to step up for the team’s sake.
You’re just 5 saves away from reaching 250 in your NPB/MLB career…
KF: A lot of people around me talk about that, but I have never thought about it – and I’m not just putting up a front. I have reaped greater rewards than that. Those who have achieved, and those who are going to achieve that mark, well, they’re better than I am. I am already friends with most of them. I play golf with them. So whether or not I reach the milestone, nothing changes. Sure, there are people who aim for those numbers, people who live for those achievements, and I think that is wonderful. I just happened to be put in the position to reach the mark, but never really thought of it as something important.
So what is important, then?
KF: That the Tigers win the pennant. When I joined this team, I said that I wanted to win at least 3 pennants, and we have only won two. Two pennants in 10 years. Well, a third chance has come along in my 22nd year. Whether or not I am there on the field is irrelevant. I have poured myself out into this team. The younger guys will do it. I will just do my thing – one appearance or whatever is needed.
What are your post-retirement plans?
KF: Let’s put the brakes on this one. Of course, I have plans now that I’m over 40, but I am working hard every day and there are still 2.5 months to go. I just want to focus on that first.
What is your message for the fans?
KF: We have 13 games in 13 days, and it will be interesting to see how the team does. We’ve got a 4-game series against the Giants, too. I’m down on the second squad — maybe the third squad! But I’m going to go to Koshien right now and try to pump up the team for the game against the Swallows. Everyone is doing their best, but doing our best doesn’t seem to be enough to beat the Giants. Playing on the top squad is really not easy. Pumping the team up and even jeering is important, but during those 4 hours that they are on the field, I hope the fans can respect what the players are out there doing.
You were a real role model and hero for young baseball players.
KF: Times have changed and that is no longer one of my roles. I believe that players who are in their late 20s and 30s who haven’t produced up until now, well, they have a chance to show what they are made of and accomplish something. That would be making use of what I have accomplished in my career. But for us as pros, that is the ultimate – to be heroes for young kids. That’s the kind of players we want to be, and that we want them to be, too. But honestly, the goal is not to want to be like some other player, but rather, to have others want to be like you. I never thought that would happen in my life. I can only thank my parents for naming me Kyuji Fujikawa, the support of this organization, and the way you media share the news with the fans.
What was the biggest moment of your career?
KF: The biggest? I don’t really remember it right now. My life motto is to always aim to be happier than I am now, to have a happier tomorrow than I had today. Tomorrow’s going to be a better day. And the day after that, too. Maybe the pain will go away and I’ll be able to pitch again. That’s how I think. I have memories, but I also believe I’m going to create better and better memories as time goes on, so I can’t really answer your question.
What do the Hanshin Tigers mean to you?
KF: Good question. If Koshien Stadium is my mother, then I guess Hanshin Tigers is my father. I left home once, but kids eventually make their way home, don’t they?
What does your fastball mean to you?
KF: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t believe it was good. It got me a lot of strikeouts, but I never really understood it. I don’t know how it got as good as it did. It became my guide, even directing my personality some. As I grew as a baseball player, my fastball began to shape who I am as a person. Actually, recently I’ve learned a few more offspeed pitches, too (laughs). As a person, being straight and fast is not enough, right? Baseball is the same – it connects very closely to life itself. But the reason I was able to single-mindedly play this game for so long is because of that pitch, and I feel like this has been a great adolescent period of my life, too.
And is the fastball also one of the reasons that you’re retiring?
KF: That is, in fact, part of it. I don’t have the control I once had. That was an indication to me that something was up with my body. But I put the game ahead of my own condition. I was always prepared for the day that my body would no longer hold up. But as long as I could contribute to the team, we had a chance to win. That’s why I just kept on moving forward. But my control started to escape me, my body started aching more, and I was unable to fix it. I guess that’s what they call ‘expiration date.’
And the reason for your tears?
KF: It’s really hard. I started getting sentimental about all the hard times I overcame. But at this age, it can’t be helped. What will my life look like after baseball? I don’t know, but I want to be even happier than I am now. Now’s not the time to get all mushy and sentimental, and that’s why it is so hard to reflect on the past.
When did you change your mind about the importance of winning?
KF: I went from thinking, ‘someone will do it’ to ‘it doesn’t matter who does it… anyone can.’ I am a self-taught man, and I picked up a lot from The Record of the Three Kingdoms. It’s better to go to battle with multiple weapons than just in one’s own strength. It’s not exactly what JFK was all about, but there were three of us. Nothing was about the individual and how strong he could be, but rather the combination. Coaches can do this job too, but players can share their own experiences and feelings, and use them to contribute to the Tigers. We need to build just that one more fighter. If I think about my own situation, going way back, I knew no fear and thought I could do it all on my own. I hope that our capable players are able to become fighters, team players, and make the fans happy. So it’s not all about me. It doesn’t really matter that I am leaving.