Mac Suzuki (English)
I can`t remember the last time that I felt this much impact when I was playing ball in the states. Maybe when the major leaguer came to practice for the baseball academy in Florida when I was 18. And I also played with the guy who was playing cather in 3A level that time. When we played the game together, I was really shocked and loss for the words. Since then, it`s already 12 years passed by and this is my 10th year related to American Baseball.
Because of the experiences and playing against former Major Leaguers in 2003, I thought I roughlly understood about quality of the players in the states. However, After I saw the Mac`s pitching, I was shocked and loss for the words just like when I was 18…..maybe impact was more than that. (*Mac Suzuki, The first Japanese player who played in Major League Baseball without playing professional baseball in Japan. He was playing for Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals etc) I have been shocked and nothing but surprised and nothing but the impact really….The words didn`t come out after I saw his pitching. It was different level. That was all I could say.
I have seen so many Major Leaguers in my baseball life but Mac was one of the best pitcher that I have seen when I was playing in the states, Canada, and Australia. The flow of the game was changed when Mac was coming to pitch.The flow is sure to exist in the baseball game, and good play and bad play come out in the flow. And Mac changed the flow very easily. It`s really tough to change the game by individual power. (Especially at a professional level) Mac changed the game 100% and there was no chance to score from him.
I was watching Mac before the game. I mean every movement he made for the preparation for his pitching. And I have never seen the pitcher who warms up very well. It seemed like he was listening to his body. I could tell why he was the starter for the Major League team back then. He was always calm and had great class in the game. And in my image, he was great power pitcher but I guess I can say that he is also really flexible. His pitching was beauty and mechanics was great. So fundamental and powerful. I was really impressed by that.
And of course, I went to say hello to him before the game with all my respect. He was gentle person and there were a lot of things I could learn from him. And after the series against Vipers, I went to see him again to say thank you. We talked for a while and he asked me dinner for the next series. I was so nervous but happy. Mac`s footstep is just amazing. He is the great guy and great ball player for sure. I was so happy that I could meet him in my life time. So I will keep getting better for the things Mac has passed me on!!
The team win 1game and 2loss. The main reason is a functionality as the team. That`s all I can say. It is a tough going to put out the result more than now. Unless everyone is going to start to realize how much it means to us. However, we have more and more games, so all we can do is not giving up and keep trying hard!! I will be better tomorrow and will try to learn something new !! Cccccc Ya!!
We are baseballers!! Baseball unites the world!!
Respectfully
Yoshi