Sources: Hanshin Official / Daily Sports / Hochi Sports
Newly-signed imports Raul Alcantara (RHP) and Mel Rojas Jr (OF) completed their two-week quarantine period on Sunday the 18th and met with the local press the following day via teleconference. Here are parts of the transcripts from their Q & A sessions.
Alcantara
Give us your thoughts on joining the team.
After two weeks of isolation, it feels great to meet everyone.
How’s the body feeling?
I’ve been able to keep myself in good shape, even these past two weeks, and I am prepared to start practicing.
The team is in first place right now. How do you view the team so far?
I’m really happy to join such a good team! I’ve been watching them during the quarantine period but even before that, in the States, and they look great!
What is your impression of the Hanshin Tigers?
I see the team is piling up wins, and a big part of that is that the starting pitchers are doing such a great job.
Did you have any impression of Japanese baseball while you were playing over in Korea?
I feel like the game over here is highly competitive.
What are your strengths as a pitcher?
I think I have decent speed on my fastball and I’m able to keep my pitches in the strike zone as well.
How do you want the fans to view you as a player?
Well, the biggest things are my control and my ability to keep pitching deep into games.
Do you know any of the players over here? Who are you excited to face?
I’ve been watching a lot of video and learning a lot, but I still do not know any of the players firsthand, so I’m really excited to get out there and learn more about them as I face them.
If you have a nickname, please let us know.
Well my name is Alcantara, but a lot of people call me “Popé” – if you want to, you can call me that.
Any reason for choosing to wear #44?
Well, I was hoping to wear #43 but that number was taken. The team chose #44 for me, but I’m hoping that I can perform in a way that is befitting of my new number.
Do you have a special attachment to #43?
Well, it was my number last year and I had a really good season, so I kind of wanted to wear it again.
You’ve been studying Japanese from what we hear. Can you say a few words in Japanese?
Watashi wa Alcantara desu. Arigato gozaimasu. That’s about all I can say for now. I’m still trying to learn more.
Surely the pandemic has affected your daily life, but how have you spent your days?
I know this is a really hard situation for people all over the world, but all we can do is try to stay positive and move forward. I’m just trying to keep myself free from the virus and am hoping everyone else will do their part, too.
Give a message to the Tigers fans out there.
I know fans are out there cheering in front of their TVs or on their smartphones, and I can’t wait to be cheered on as the team works hard to win the pennant this year.
Rojas Jr
How are you feeling right now?
We are a little behind schedule, but I am really happy to be here. I am looking forward to doing my best to contribute to the team and to make the fans happy.
The team is currently sitting in first place. How do you view the team so far?
I’m really glad to see that the team is off to such a good start. I hope to contribute to the team’s continued success, and hopefully we will end the year in first place.
What has the manager said to you so far?
He said he was looking forward to meeting me. He asked me what I have been doing to get ready and what I hope to accomplish, so I told him that I am 100% prepared, so I am ready to go whenever.
What are your strengths?
I think I’m capable of doing a lot of things, but probably my power is my biggest strength.
Are there any players here that you are looking forward to facing?
I can’t remember a lot of names, but there are some guys that I want to face, like Tanaka and Sugano. But there are lots of Japanese players I want to play against.
What do you hope to accomplish this season?
I just want to help lead the team to the pennant and help us get more wins. I hope to join the cleanup hitters, Marte, Ohyama, Sands, and Sato, and just play hard alongside them.
What is your impression of Sato?
He looks really good. He’s got a really strong swing, and I think he’s going to be able to have an impact on the top squad.
And you and your family were good friends with the Sands family in Korea as well?
Sands has given me a lot of advice already and we talked quite a bit after I signed my deal. I also know Marte and Gunkel, though. They’re all good players and great people. Them being here was really important to me. Sands recommended me to Hanshin, and also recommended the Tigers to me. I think the team needs to give him a present or something (laughs).
You wore #24 in Korea as well. Any reason for that?
There are a lot of reasons. I grew up watching Ken Griffey Jr and Manny Ramirez, plus Kobe Bryant in basketball. Also, my birthday is May 24th, and I wore this number in the minors in America as well. I’ve worn it a lot in my life, so…
Your father played in the majors and won 34 games as a pitcher. Baseball is in your blood, isn’t it?
I’ve played baseball and basketball pretty much my whole life. I’m fortunate to have been born into a family that has close ties in the baseball world. Ultimately, I chose to pursue baseball, and now I’ve been given this chance, so I feel lucky to have grown up in a baseball environment.
Have you discovered any favorite Japanese foods or other things about Japan so far?
Osaka was one of the first things I heard about, especially the good food. I want to try out all kinds of things. I’ve been studying Japanese a little, too. I don’t know a lot about Japanese culture yet, but I’m learning a little at a time. When I signed my contract with the Tigers, I started to look into Japan and studying Japanese right away, and hopefully, I can keep learning while I am here.
Do you have any favorite Japanese words?
I know a little bit but I’m a little nervous. Ohayo gozaimasu, konnichiwa, konbanwa, genki desuka, genki desu, watashi wa Rojas desu, ganbatte! I hope to keep learning more, little by little.
Give a message to the Tigers fans, please.
I’m ready to give it my all, for the team and for the fans. I look forward to being part of this team!