◆ Sports Hochi Journalist Column “From Ryogoku”
Nippon-Ham is leading the league thanks to the dynamic performance of the Shinjo Children. Manager Shinjo is not just nurturing players. After the game on the 9th, they won big against Lotte with 13 runs, the most this season. As a first-year reporter, I asked, “The match has changed, what kind of game do you want to play from the next game onwards?” The manager then retorted, “That’s not a funny question,” and replied, “Maybe a game like today’s.” I regretted asking such a common question.
Coach Shinjo, who has an outstanding ability to comment, also demands quality questions from reporters. He often laughs at simple questions, saying, “You have no sense.” He sometimes gives assignments based on compatibility, form, and past trends, saying, “What would you do? Think about the order for each person and announce it.” In order to keep up with the interviews, he is required to always be aware of the team’s situation and to be prepared just like the players.
He also dislikes questions about the past. There are many players on the team who have been transferred from other teams and awakened, such as Mizutani and Yoshida, who joined the team through the active draft. So when I asked, “I used to be ____,” he replied, “I’m a The Fighters player now. What happened on my previous team doesn’t matter. Won’t you stop asking me about that?” It was an impressive scene that showed his affection for the players, accepting them as members of Nippon-Ham.
On the other hand, when a question hits the mark, he responds enthusiastically with a deep response like, “That’s true,” or “Exactly.” The Shinjo style is to nurture reporters as well. He works hard at his daily interviews in order to ask questions that will move people’s hearts. (Kawakami Haruki, Nippon-Ham reporter)
Haruki Kawakami joined the company in 2021. After working in layout, he is now in charge of Nippon-Ham.
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