NPB Awards: Murakami Makes History!

On Tuesday night (November 28) in Tokyo, Nippon Professional Baseball held its annual awards ceremony to recognize excellent players and their contributions to the game. Here’s how it went down for our Hanshin Tigers.

Matsutaro Shoriki Award: Akinobu Okada

• It is an honor to be selected because it’s just one person per year who wins this award. I didn’t know that the award could have gone to WBC members or the manager there. I guess the impact of A.R.E. was pretty strong. I’m glad we used that buzzword (smiles).

Central League MVP: Shoki Murakami

• I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would win this award, so it is such a huge honor. We have so many awesome players on our team, but I am so happy to have been awarded this prize.

Central League Rookie of the Year: Shoki Murakami

• I heard that I was the first in the Central to win both (MVP & ROY) in the same year, and that I was the first since Nomo (1990) to do it. I am humbled to have my name alongside his in the history books.

Central League Best Nine: Yusuke Ohyama (first base), Seiya Kinami (shortstop), Koji Chikamoto (outfield)

• Ohyama: I had coming here as one of my goals, so I’m glad to have accomplished it. We won the pennant and Japan Series, which were more important to me, but this is like icing on the cake.
• Kinami: I always have the image that the best of the best attend these ceremonies, so it is a somewhat strange feeling to be here. I just want to keep going out there and doing my job as I know I can.
• Chikamoto: I’m focusing on winning year in and year out. It is especially important that I continue my streak of winning the Golden Glove and Best Nine Awards. I place huge importance on those especially, and not just stolen bases.

Western League Outstanding Player: Jo Endo

• I hope to finally make it to the top squad next year, and I’m starting from camp to show what I can do on defense and with the bat.

Western League Most Wins: Takumi Akiyama

• This is my fifth time winning it in 14 years. It might as well already be an honorary award. I hope to contribute to the top squad more next season.

Individual stat category leaders for the Tigers included:

• Most hits: Takumu Nakano (164 – tie with Shugo Maki)
• Most stolen bases: Chikamoto (28)
• Highest on-base percentage: Ohyama (.403)
• Lowest ERA: Murakami (1.75)
• Most saves: Suguru Iwazaki (35)