Interview with Koichi Isobe (2)
An anecdote of the former Kintetsu “itemae batting line”
(Interview 1: Why did Rakuten’s historic slowdown occur? “It’s tough if you don’t get hits with foreign fielders” >>)
This season off, “Kintetsu Warrior” disappeared from NPB. Yakult’s Tomotaka Sakaguchi has decided to take off his uniform for this season only. 18 years after the reorganization of the baseball world, the number of players who played in the Kintetsu Buffaloes has finally decreased due to Sakaguchi’s retirement. In such a year, the ORIX Buffaloes decided to become Japan’s number one for the first time in 26 years.
On the other hand, if you look at the coaches and commentators, it is true that Kintetsu alumni still have a strong presence. Koichi Isobe, who was in the midst of the disappearance of the Kintetsu Buffaloes as the last player chairman of the team, would be one of them.
We asked Mr. Isobe about the secrets of his Kintetsu days as the No. 1 in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes, Kazuo Matsui, who will coach the Seibu Lions from next season, and Daisuke Miura, the manager of DeNA, who continue to be friends with baseball players.
Norihiro Nakamura, Tuffy Rose and Koichi Isobe (left to right) of Kintetsu in dramatic league championship on September 26, 2001
See photos related to this article
＊＊＊
――This season, the ORIX Buffaloes became number one in Japan. How did you feel about it?
Koichi Isobe (hereinafter referred to as Isobe): “Orix became number one in Japan, and I said on SNS, ‘Congratulations on winning the Orix Buffaloes.’ Then, a fan of the Orix Buffaloes said, ‘Isobe-san would say that. 18 years ago, there were so many things going on, so to be honest, I still think, ‘Even if it’s the same Buffaloes, it’s completely different.’ The ORIX Buffaloes were strong.In my heart, I think, ‘I’m glad the Eagles won Japan first,’ so it’s complicated (laughs).”
――Sakaguchi has retired, and there are no active players who know the Kintetsu era.
Isobe: “Since he joined the team in 2002 (the Kintetsu team ceased to exist after the 2004 season), we have almost no direct contact with him. Because he was a highly skilled player, he was able to live a long professional career, and I thought, “I want him to continue as a Kintetsu alumnus for as long as possible, and leave the Kintetsu name behind.” After all, his retirement is sad. And there is also a sense of loss, like, “Are there no one left?” It’s a strange coincidence that the ORIX Buffaloes will become number one in Japan in such a year.”
