Post date: 2024.09.02
Enjoy now and live without regrets! The passion of former Hanshin Tigers and Doris players
Raphael Doris, who joined the Kochi Fighting Dogs this year, came to Japan alone, kicking off an offer from the Mexican team. Why did you come to Kochi? And what you think in Kochi. I told you inside my chest.
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How to Join Kochi Fighting Docks
Raphael Doris' Kochi Fighting Docks (FD) joining news announced in April 2024 surprised and delighted baseball fans all over Japan.
Doris played in the Mexican League the previous year. In fact, he received an offer from the league in 2024 and said he intended to play in Mexico. What changed my mind was Kyuko Fujikawa, a former Hanshin Tigers from Kochi Prefecture, who once belonged to Kochi FD.
Mr. Fujikawa and Doris are teammates from the Chicago Cubs era. When Doris came to Japan, he played together in the Hanshin Tigers and had a long relationship. Mr. Fujikawa serves as a bridge between Doris and Kochi FD. “I was a little lost in Japan or Mexico, but Mr. Fujikawa said, ‘Come in Japan.’ I understand Japanese life well, and I was interested in interacting with Japanese people. So I decided to come to Japan soon,” he said.
Even though I made an immediate decision, considering the age of 36 and the family coming to Japan alone in my hometown, I should be prepared to be extraordinary. So this time, on the off day, he talked about his life in Kochi, his thoughts on Japan, and how to face baseball.
Life in Kochi and the real face of Doris players
First, a toast with a relaxed mood! Doris, who likes alcohol and Japanese food, and his eating habits in Kochi seem to fit your body.
"Everybody likes Japanese food. The first time I ate sashimi was in 2016. In the Hanshin era, Mr. Fujikawa took me to various shops and taught me about Japanese food little by little. So I could eat it all.”
Speaking of Kochi, bonito straw-baked tataki is a specialty. This is the first time I tried to bake straw!
“I love Bonito. The bonito baked by yourself is good! Both salt and ponzu are good! Bonito has a lot of protein, so it gives meccia power!” 。
"I eat anything well without worrying," he laughs, but he thinks well about his body and is healthy. "Japanese food is healthy, right? I like shishamo because of high protein. My favorite thing is alcohol (laughs). The only thing I don't like is Chikukyu (laughs). I eat chikuwa and cucumber alone, but I don't understand that combination!" 。
How is your life in Kochi?
"Today I was trying fishing on the Kagami River. Unfortunately I couldn’t catch it!” 。
On the off day, you go to drinking alcohol, go to hot springs and travel with friends, and get acquainted with life in Kochi. When asked for signs and commemorative photos on the spot, the staff at Kochi FD, who was present, said that they were serving everyone with a bright smile without any unpleasant face.
"There's no reason to refuse. It would be fun and happy if you could get along with everyone you meet. This idea of putting happiness first is your father's teaching."
You can see the goodness of Doris' personality, such as a charming smile that brightly illuminates the surroundings, and gentle consideration for fans and staff.
My favorite thoughts on Japan
"It's very comfortable to be in Japan," I asked Doris about his first visit to Japan in five years.
The main reason why I came to Kochi FD is to return to NPB?
“Of course, there was an NPB, and I came to seek a fight with adrenaline. But the big reason is not only that, but Japan is very suitable for me. I like Japanese culture and it is very safe and livable. In other countries, you can't walk alone on the night road or have children walking alone. Japan is very comfortable.”
What do you aim for at Kochi FD?
“I just want to go in the right direction, and of course I can give advice on what my teammates are missing, and I think everyone should go in the right direction.”
You declined the offer of the Mexican League and came to Kochi.
“I think happiness is more important than money. As I said earlier, this is your father's teaching. Life is only once. I think happiness is the best. You don't wear anything when you are born. But as you grow up, you get to have money or have a big house. But in the end, when you die, you can't put a big house in the coffin. If I want to leave something, I want to leave it to my children. Because you can't do it for your own. I want to tell you how you lived.”
It sounds like happiness is the most important thing. And the words that you want to tell you how you lived only once in your life will lead to the appearance of coming to Japan alone and playing full power.
"Living happily without regrets, that's the best." If you are asked whether to live for eternity or live for the present moment, you should definitely enjoy the present. I want to live without regrets.”
Is the honest character cultivated not only in your father's teachings, but also in your long experience?
"You have been blessed with people too. A long time ago, a player from Dominica was invited to camp in Arizona. So I really liked Carlos Zambrano. I trained hard, listened to people, and bought me my personality.”
Carlos Zambrano, who likes Doris, is a former Major League pitcher from Venezuela. Doris played as an ace at the Chicago Cubs, where he joined, and achieved the highest score in 2006 and no-hit nolan in 2008. We have a brilliant track record, winning 132 major wins. It was also known as a switch hitter, with a major total of 24 home runs. It is a star player that can be said to be the original two-sword style.
“He moved to the Miami Marlins in 2012, and he told me that he would definitely be a major player. Then you could use his apartment in Chicago and give me the key. So when I was in Chicago, I didn't spend any money at all. He also took over his nickname, “Toro” (in Spanish for bullfighting).
Impact on Teammates & How to Face Baseball
We asked Captain Sanforasina about how the presence of experienced Doris affects the members of Kochi FD.
Has there been any change in the players?
“It reminds us that we have to change more. I saw Doris training and running more than everyone else, and reviewed what they had done. And I saw something lacking. In addition to that, he throws a good ball, so I think the pitcher is learning very much."
Are you getting advice too?
"Yes. He looks at the batter and tells us where to throw a change ball, where to throw a ball that can be hit, and where to aim for a strike. He gave me advice on ball distribution, and I think the pitcher, the catcher, and the batter have changed their minds."
How do you want to convert the stimuli received from Doris?
"I'm training not only in quantity but also in quality, so I want to learn. Since I came to Kochi FD, I have been teaching all my teammates a lot of things. We will try to improve ourselves even more.”
We also asked Doris about advice to Kochi FD teammates.
"I've seen the top players in the major, so I can see the mechanics of the batter. That's why I want to tell players who can't hit it from the pitcher's point of view why they can't hit it. For example, I told a player how to swing and react to the pitcher's movement, not the whole body movement itself, but the accuracy of 0.1 seconds or 0.2 seconds after pitching, but I told him that it was better to practice handwork so that he could respond."
"Kochi FD has a capable player. However, in order to go up one more thing, it is important to think with your head and be able to play baseball. Also, if you don't change your mind, it doesn't make sense. It’s important to keep going after you change.”
What do you think about baseball?
“Baseball is Mental’s sport. The physical side tends to be close-up, but it is actually a sport that uses the head. Baseball is 100% I don’t know what’s going to happen, but good players are players who can imagine what’s going to happen and are prepared to react to it. In other words, baseball is a sport that is played together. In addition, good players, who are said to be geniuses, first think about their body and have the best quality training for themselves. You can’t be a smart player.”
Doris said that not only physical care but also thinking is more important for baseball. Thank you very much for sharing your valuable story!
In addition, an article closely related to Doris on the day of the pitching is also introduced here. The schedule of the game at Kochi Stadium is also posted, so please see it together.
