Sources: Nikkan / Sponichi / Sponichi Annex / Daily
With a thankful heart and no regrets, Hanshin outfielder Shintaro Yokota (24) will end his career at season’s end. He held a press conference on September 22nd at the team’s office in Nishinomiya, falling short in his attempt to come back from brain tumors. He was the team’s second-round pick in the 2013 draft, and made his top squad debut on Opening Day of his third season, 2016. Showing huge potential to be a core player in the near future, he fell ill in February 2017 and fought back from the tumors after six months of treatment. Though he signed a development player contract at the start of the 2018 season, blurry vision was one of the after-effects of his tumors, bringing his comeback attempt to a tearful and premature end.
I, Shintaro Yokota, have decided to hang up my uniform at season’s end.
How do you feel right now?
I reached this decision of my own volition and have no regrets whatsoever.
When and how did you reach the decision to retire?
The biggest factor was my vision. I wasn’t able to track any balls that I was hitting, had double vision in the batter’s box and in the field. Everything looked blurry and I didn’t feel like going through this again next year, so I decided to retire.
You put in a lot of work rehabbing in an attempt to get back into game action. What kind of frustrations did you feel during this process?
The past year and a half have been really hard, but I wanted to play baseball, so it was my choice to go through this. No regrets.
Did you consult with your manager or teammates?
No, I reached this decision completely on my own.
And your family?
I talked with my parents a little, but I felt very strongly about this, so it was almost entirely my choice.
How did your father (ex-pro NPB player) react?
It was something I had thought through and decided, so he didn’t say anything except “You worked hard all these years. Well done.”
What was your reaction when you were diagnosed with brain tumors?
My mind went blank when I was told I had brain tumors. I didn’t think I would ever get to play baseball ever again, but I got so much support from those around me, and I have nothing but appreciation for them from the bottom of my heart.
What helped keep you focused on a return?
Even though I was just practicing, a lot of fans came around, and even though I never played in a single game, a whole lot of people were cheering me on. That was huge.
Any words from fans stand out in your mind?
Probably when fans told me they hoped to see me back in games as soon as possible, with #24 on my back. That was my goal the whole time, after all.
You took that number from Shinjiro Hiyama six years ago. How do you feel about it?
At first I didn’t feel worthy to take it from such an amazing player as Mr. Hiyama. After being given #124 (as a development player), I really wanted to get his number back. Too bad I wasn’t able to do it.
What was it like playing alongside Fumihito Haraguchi, who also overcame a big setback earlier this year?
As he made his comeback, we talked together about one day playing together and standing on the heroes’ podium. He’s been out there playing some great ball, and is an incredible player and teammate.
Any words of his stand out from the conversations you had?
There are lots, but probably more than anything was when he said, “No matter what we do, we have to keep looking forward and staying positive.”
As you look back on your six years as a pro, what is your best memory?
Obviously, I will always remember being a starter on Opening Day in 2016, but just fighting these last two and a half years without any regrets. I constantly struggled with myself and had a lot of thoughts going through my mind, but these last 2.5 years have been a great memory.
The Opener at Kyocera Dome in 2016 made a strong impression on you…
I was extremely nervous, my legs couldn’t stop shaking, and I’ll always remember that feeling.
And then you got your first stolen base.
Yeah, my legs were shaking but I was so relieved to have made it to second base safely.
And the next day?
I remember that, too. I was so happy to have gotten my first NPB hit.
You had 109 plate appearances on the top squad that year. Is there any one that stands out?
Facing Sugano of the Giants – I’ll never forget how good his stuff was.
What’s your vision for the future?
I’ve already spoken to the club, but I want to go back home and talk things through with my parents.
Tell us what baseball means to Shintaro Yokota.
All I’ve done is play baseball since I was a kid, and the only thing stopping me from still playing is sickness, but I have nothing but thanks for the fact that I was able to play the game this long, and especially that I could play for such a great club as the Hanshin Tigers.
Give a message to your fans.
I got so many origami cranes while I was in the hospital from fans, and I know that I was only able to make it back as far as I did thanks to the great support I got from all the fans. I have nothing but thanks in my heart for them.
The press conference continued on some, but Yokota was also paid a surprise visit from teammates Shun Takayama and Fumiya Hojoh, who brought bouquets of flowers with them. Yokota also expressed thanks to his parents. He remembers his father coming to the hospital with his head shaved bald after Shintaro himself lost his hair because of radiation treatment. His mother quit her job so she could be by his side as well.
He also commented on his favorite song, “Eiko no Kakehashi” (Bridges of Glory) by Yuzu. Whenever he needed strength to go on, whether at the hospital or on the playing field, he listened to that song and it helped him move on. His teammate and friend Atsushi Mochizuki used the song as his warm-up music when he took the mound on September 22 against the BayStars.