WBC Keiji Takahashi’s mentor thanks Yakult manager Takatsu for his generous support.
日本語訳の全文はこちらから
【WBC代表選手の恩師が語る】「赤ちゃん」だった高橋奎二（ヤクルト）の大成をもたらした「天性」の明るさ
Keiji Takahashi (from Ryukoku University Heian High School), who had a breakthrough season last year with eight wins, was selected to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
His former high school coach, Hidehiko Harada of Ryukoku University Heian (Kyoto), expressed his gratitude to the baseball team and manager Takatsu for his success so far.
When he was in high school, Takahashi’s body was very thin. He didn’t have much muscle mass, and I thought it would be good if he could only develop his flexibility in high school. After high school, he would spend a few years building up his muscles and strengthening his body. I thought that would help me swing my arm, and he did exactly that.
Up to that point, Shingo Takatsu, the manager of the first team, first took a long view of me as the manager of the second team. Then, when it was time to move up to the first team, Mr. Takatsu became the first team manager. This was also a chance encounter. It is very lucky for him. I think he is on a very good path. I think this is thanks to the generous support he received from Takatsu.
Harada also realizes that Takahashi has been blessed with a good mentor. He developed the flexibility and softness necessary to pitch in professional baseball during his high school years, and manager Harada saw the strength of his heart and selected him to pitch in official games. He then studied under manager Takatsu at Yakult, where he has been successful.
Blessed with a mentor, the left-handed pitcher will repay his mentor by demonstrating his ability on the world’s highest stage.
昨年8勝を挙げブレークした期待の速球派左腕、高橋 奎二投手（龍谷大平安出身）は、今年のワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（WBC）の日本代表に選ばれた。
高校時代の恩師である龍谷大平安（京都）・原田英彦監督は、ここまでの活躍について、ヤクルト球団と高津監督へ感謝の思いを口にした。
「高校時代は体が細かった。筋肉もそんなについてなかったし、僕はもう高校時代は柔軟性で良いと思っていました。上に行ってから数年で筋力を付けて、体を強くする。それで腕が振れてくると思っていましたが、その通りにやってくれました。そこまで1軍の監督の高津臣吾さんが、まず2軍監督で長い目で見てくれた。そして、1軍に上がる時にまた高津さんが1軍の監督になった。これも巡り会いですよね。彼にとっては非常にラッキー。非常に良い道を進んでいると思います。これも高津監督が手厚く彼を育ててくれたおかげだと思います」
高橋は指導者に恵まれていると実感する。プロ野球の投手をやる上で必要なしなやかさ、柔らかさを高校時代で培い、原田監督がハートの強さを見抜き、公式戦に抜擢した。そしてヤクルトでは高津監督のもとで学び、活躍に至っている。
指導者に恵まれた左腕は、世界最高峰の舞台でその実力を発揮し、恩師に恩返しする。
