Former Tigers 5th Rounder Excited about Japan Series
Canadian Daily Sports Online columnist Trevor Raichura sat in on a public viewing of Game 1 of the Japan Series, a Tigers 8-0 blowout win, at a yakiniku shop in downtown Kobe. Despite the big win for his favorite team, he says he knows that both teams have outstanding pitching staffs, commenting nervously, “This one’s probably going to go the distance.”
A throng of Tigers fans gathered at the shop to take in the first Kansai Derby game in 59 years, and when Hanshin took the lead, yakiniku became a much lower priority. Trevor loves Kobe beef, and above all else, the Hanshin Tigers, but as the game unfolded, he chose to consume what was on the screen over what was on the grill in front of him. At the game’s conclusion, he said, “This one’s probably going seven. Both teams’ pitching staffs are amazing, and I don’t think the Tigers will win another game by this big a margin moving forward. I predict, or hope, that the Tigers score the winning run in the 9th inning of Game 7 off Orix closer Hirano, and take home the Nippon Series Championship.” Not a bad analysis. Hirano, by the way, came out as a star reliever under the management of current Tigers’ skipper Akinobu Okada back when he was at the Orix helm.
The yakiniku shop “Kobe Beef Yakiniku Okatora” opened this past May in Chuo Ward, Kobe. Partnering in ownership and management are two former Hanshin Tigers pitchers: Takayuki Katoh (5th round pick in 2000) and Koji Okamoto (3rd round pick in 1999). They are a year apart in age. Kato commented, “We were able to do an amazing public viewing at Okatora, and the customers really got into it. That first game was amazing. We will be doing public viewings for every game of the Japan Series, so come on down! We aim to be a shop that Tigers fans come to love. Let’s aim to be the best in Japan!” he said excitedly, pumping up his old team.
