Chunichi Dragons player Sho Nakata (36) played his retirement game on September 19th. His impressive achievements – three batting titles, five Best Nine awards, five Golden Glove awards, and representing Japan in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classic – demonstrate he was an elite player. However, that’s not all.

As evidenced by many sports reporters writing articles based on their interview notes after his retirement, he was a player who left his mark in both “records” and “memories.” While joining their ranks feels presumptuous, as a second-year employee who normally directs the local TV program “Sunday Dragons,” I also want to record my episode with Nakata.

The encounter began with shocking words

My first interview with him was last August. As a first-year employee at the time, I was sent alone to Nagoya Stadium after my supervisor instructed me to “go hear his current thoughts” about Nakata, who had been demoted to the second team.

As someone who loves professional baseball, Nakata was someone I’d only seen on television. With mixed feelings of excitement about talking to the player I admired and anxiety about whether I could handle the task, I approached Nakata after practice. Then…

“Who are you? Why should I tell you anything?”

The response was shocking. I was too scared to reply. “Uh… um…” My mind was spinning, and I could only open and close my mouth wordlessly for several seconds. Seeing me like this, Nakata said:

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow”

He left those words and went home. I had somehow managed to secure an interview appointment. But I was terrified. Honestly, I didn’t want to approach him again. However, the next day arrived mercilessly.

Chunichi Dragons

The Chunichi Dragons are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, Japan, and are a founding member of Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League, established in 1936. Historically one of Japan’s oldest and most successful clubs, the team has won multiple Japan Series championships, with a passionate fan base supporting them at the Nagoya Dome.

World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament first held in 2006, organized by Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association. It was created to promote and grow the sport globally, featuring national teams from around the world competing in a format similar to the FIFA World Cup. The event is held every three to four years and has been instrumental in popularizing baseball in non-traditional markets.

Nagoya Stadium

Nagoya Stadium, also known as the Mizuho Athletic Stadium, is a multi-purpose venue located in Nagoya, Japan. It was originally constructed in 1941 and has since been renovated, serving as a historic host for football matches and athletic events. The stadium was notably a venue for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and is the traditional home for Nagoya Grampus.

Sunday Dragons

I am unable to find any specific information on a notable place or cultural site named “Sunday Dragons.” It is possible this may be a local nickname, a mistranslation, or a reference to a specific event or lesser-known attraction. Could you please provide more context or clarify the name?