Craig Brazell (39), who played with the Hanshin Tigers through 2012, sent a message to Daily Sports. He says he has been spending his days at his home in Alabama recently due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. He has encouragement for Tigers fans as well as all baseball fans in Japan, as the state of emergency declaration got extended longer in Japan, saying, “we are all in this fight together.”
Brazell played for Seibu, Hanshin and Lotte during his time in Japan. His best year was undoubtedly 2010, when he hit 47 home runs and had 117 RBIs for Hanshin, and was named to the Best Nine team. He is well-remembered by Hanshin fans.
Since retirement, he has been helping his wife with her business venture while also playing the role of househusband to his three sons. Recently due to the coronavirus pandemic, the school year has been put on pause, and his wife’s Pilates studios (in Auburn, Alabama) have also closed down for the time being.
“Alabama isn’t in nearly as rough shape as New York has been. There aren’t as many cases of the virus, but still we are in lockdown mode. We don’t really leave home unless it’s absolutely necessary.” He’s been taking advantage of this situation by spending extra time with his sons, and recently they have been building a treehouse in the yard.
Upon hearing that Japan has extended its state of emergency, Brazell said, “Things are rough in Japan and in America, but we’ll get through these hard times together. If we stay strong for just a little longer, we’ll all be able to go back to watching the game we love.”
About staying at home, he said, “We all need to think about what we have to do: avoid going out, keep a proper distance from one another. It’s hard, but this is a chance to spend more time with your families, to do the things that you’ve been putting off for some time. Make the most of the time you have. And let’s not forget to be thankful for those who are working hard to allow us to keep on going: medical staff, truck drivers, farmers. We need to show our appreciation for them, too.”
Though Brazell played on three teams in Japan, he gave his third son, Tip, the middle name Koshien. Clearly, he has a special place in his heart for Hanshin, for Kansai, for Koshien. “Those years with Hanshin were some of the best of my life: playing with Kane-san, Yano-san, I learned a lot from those guys.” Brazell also hinted at the possibility of coming back to Kansai if his wife’s business picks back up strongly: “I’d love to open a studio in Japan, too, in Kansai.” It’s wonderful to see him remain positive and dream big, even in amidst this pandemic. (By Daily Sports Contract Reporter Trevor Raichura)