[Orix] Yutaro Sugimoto aims for “world-class” Raoh. Reunites with Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto. “I have to practice more and more…”
Sports Hochi
2025.11.22(土) 05:00
Orix On March 21, Yutaro Sugimoto outfielder (34) vowed to make a “world-class standard” leap forward to the next season. The Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitcher (27) reunited with the Dodgers this offseason, practicing on his own with muscle strengthening and Pilates. He enjoyed dinner with the ace, who was his colleague until the year before last, and received immeasurable inspiration.
The dinner party was planned last year but postponed. “Yoshinobu remembered exactly what he said, ‘Please take me,'” says Yamamoto, whose schedules didn’t match up, so it was finally realized at his invitation. “Yoshinobu was the same as always.” Along with members of the three-time consecutive championship team, Mune and Fukuda, they enjoyed grilled pufferfish that Sugimoto had reserved. They had a lively discussion about baseball.
“What surprised me when I heard from Yoshinobu was that ‘everyone practices so hard.'” This season, he cleared the required number of at-bats for the first time in four years and hit 16 Home Run the most on the team. Hearing about the world’s best atmosphere, he renewed his resolve, saying, “I have to practice even more. I have to work hard.”
He is a junior who flew from Orix to the major league stage and made a name for himself in the World Series. He also received some nice words of encouragement: “Let’s keep working hard!” Even though he will be turning 35 in April next year, Raoh’s mind, technique and physique have no limits. This could be the catalyst for him to break through. (Osada Toru)
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AloJapan.com