Japan baseball star Yu Darvish told the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) how important the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup is for any baseball player’s career.
Speaking ahead of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS – which will take place in Okinawa, Japan from 5 to 14 September – Darvish, who played in the 2004 edition alongside other future baseball greats, such as Alfredo Despaigne (Cuba) and Justin Upton (USA) explained what an honour it is to wear the national team uniform of Japan.
“I think regardless of the age, you know, representing your country, I think, is a big deal,” Darvish recalled talking to WBSC play-by-play commentator Tony Alvarez. “Obviously, it’s been a tremendous experience for me, you know, just being a part of the team where the best of the best kind of came together. And just that whole experience of being able to be part of that, it’s been a great experience for me,” he added.
Alvarez asked Darvish to address the players competing in the XXXII WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, which opens in Naha and Itoman on Friday.
“I think it’s right after the Koshien, so maybe there’s a tendency to, you know, possibly potentially lose some focus, but I’d really want them to, you know, kind of level up their focus again and really do a great job with good intention, good focus for the games that are about to happen in Okinawa.”
Darvish celebrated his 39th birthday on August 16. He has started 11 games for the San Diego Padres, the fourth Major League Baseball (MLB) club he has competed for after the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. The right-handed pitcher has been an MLB star and a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) All-Star with the Nippon Ham Fighters. He helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and 2023 (Pictured above. Photo courtesy of the MLB).
AloJapan.com