2023-09-27 21:50:00
Ikuro Katsuragi was selected as the successor to Ichiro through the reverse nomination system.
High expectations were placed on outfielder Ikuro Katsuragi (currently representative director of Katsuragi Co., Ltd. and coach at Hotoku Gakuen), who joined Orix in second place in the 1999 draft from Ritsumeikan University using the reverse selection system. At the time, he was said to be a possible successor to outfielder Ichiro, who was expected to move to the majors in the future. Because their names sounded similar, there was a proposal to change his registered name to “Ikuro.” “At first, we talked about that, but we didn’t do it.” It is said that Ichiro’s “opposition” led to this becoming a phantom.
Regarding his draft, Katsuragi said, “Orix gave me a great evaluation. (Manager) Mr. Ogi (Akira) seemed to be pushing me a lot, so I was very grateful.” Regarding Ichiro, he said, “At that time, I thought that Ichiro would become a free agent and go to the major leagues in two years, so I thought there would be one vacant position in two years, so I worked hard for two years to get there. “I was thinking of dying,” he said.
Under such circumstances, the registered name “Ikuro” was being considered. To be honest, Mr. Katsuragi seemed reluctant from the beginning, but he says that the reason they ended up not doing so was “Ichiro-san’s words.” “Ichiro said, “If Ichiro and Ikuro protect the outfield, you won’t know which one you’re calling, so please stop.” “I was Suzuki (there was a player with the same last name), but Ikuro is Katsuragi. “It’s okay because there’s no one else.” I’m glad you said that.”
At the Miyakojima camp in February 2000, during his first year as a pro, I was shocked by the difference in level. “At the camp, the batting group was Ichiro, (So) Taguchi, (Yoshichi) Tani, and me.” He suddenly moved around with Orix’s three main players, and it was difficult to keep up. “I thought I would be able to use my own style (even as a professional), but I thought that was impossible.I was embarrassed because these people were doing so much better, and I thought I would have to start from scratch all over again.” Ta”.
It was an extremely strong stimulant. “I’m glad that I was able to play in the same group and understand how low my level was.I was able to experience and see for myself the level of the first team and the top level of professionals.If it hadn’t been for that, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. I think I fell even further.” He worked hard and completed the camp. He was with the first team in the open game, but “I dropped out on the farm in the last week or so.” I tried again. “I tried to swing like no matter how fast the ball was. I just wanted to swing fast.”
His first professional hit was a home run…it came after four consecutive at-bats with strikeouts.
He also achieved results in the second team. “I think he hit 11 on the farm, so I guess he hit it pretty well and had some punching power.” On July 21st, he participated fully in the Fresh All-Star tournament held in Matsuyama as Western’s “number 6/right wing”. He went hitless in four at-bats, but that was because he “aimed for a home run in every at-bat.” He then made his first appearance in the first team in the match against Lotte (Green Stadium = GS Kobe) on August 27th. He appeared as a pinch hitter in the 11th inning, but made his debut with a three-pitch strikeout. He was trapped by Lotte pitcher Masahide Kobayashi.
“I remember. 151, 152, 151.” He hit all pitches in the air. “It was outside, outside, outside. It’s a bit of a natural shot. Miyabi-san and I are still good friends and we talk, but she said, “I never wanted you to hit me in your first year.” At that time, there weren’t any pitchers on the farm who hit over 150.I thought hitting 150 while shooting was on a different level.” Incidentally, during that game, Ichiro injured his right side and was substituted midway through, leaving the field.
Mr. Katsuragi’s second professional game was on September 9th against Nippon-Ham (GS Kobe), where he was appointed to the starting lineup as “number 8, right wing” and had 3 strikeouts in 3 at-bats. “Now that I’ve struck out in four consecutive at-bats (since my debut), I thought it might be another hit, but Manager Ogi used me in the starting lineup the next day…” On September 10th, in the game against Nippon-Ham (GS Kobe), in his first at-bat, he hit a home run off Nippon-Ham pitcher Naoyuki Tateishi. His first professional hit was his first arch. In his first year, he played in 12 games, going 5-for-26 with two home runs and three RBIs.
On October 12th, Ichiro announced his intention to challenge for a major using the posting system. Because he was out due to an injury, he made his last appearance as an Orix player in the 9th inning of the final game of the season against Seibu (GS Kobe) on October 13, when he strengthened his defense. “At that time, I remember playing catch with Ichiro-san for the last time.” Although we only had contact with him as a group together at camp, he was still a great person.
(Shinji Yamaguchi)
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