Nakaoshi arrived in Granby last weekend. And he will start the very first match in the history of the Guerriers on Saturday at Stade Napoléon-Fontaine when the LBMQ champions, the Acton Vale Castors, will be the visitors.
Let’s immediately settle the question of the origins of the 33-year-old athlete: he was born in Brazil, to Japanese parents, but he returned to live in Japan at the age of 19 to study and play baseball. But Brazil remains important to him, he who helped the South American country win the silver medal in baseball during the last Pan American Games, presented last fall in Chile, and who represented the country during of the World Classic in 2013.
But let’s continue our world tour for the record: Nakaoshi has just played two seasons in Australia, where his Adelaide team won the championship last November.
“For baseball, I would go anywhere,” he says in Spanish, words translated by Granby resident Eric Hidalgo, who will spend a lot of time with him over the coming months.
“Baseball is not just my passion, it’s my life.”
— Oscar Nakaoshi
Nakaoshi has primarily pitched in Japan since the start of his career. If we rely on statistics from the specialized site Baseball Reference, the left-hander has a record of nine wins, eight losses, around ten games saved and an earned run average of 3.60. In Australia last season, he brought back a record of three wins, one loss and an ERA of 1.05.
“This is the first time I’m going to launch in North America,” he continues. And that excites me a lot! It was a goal. In fact, I’m going to make a dream come true here this summer.”
Nakaoshi knows that his presence in Granby arouses interest. The Warriors are counting on him to win games and sell tickets and fans, whether fans or journalists, can’t wait to see him pitch.
“I’m here to win games and help my team. I know we’re talking about an expansion team, but if everyone works hard, we can surprise. And if people are curious about me, I tell them to come see me play! The more people there are at the stadium, the more fun we will have and the more it will help the team!”
Nakaoshi on the mound in Japan. (Provided)
He has already met some teammates as well as the manager of the Guerriers, Ben Gariépy. He also trained earlier this week with players from the Indians, the Vallée des Forts Senior League champions.
“I love the stadium!” he exclaims, again with a smile.
Married to baseball
We met Oscar Nakaoshi in a restaurant on rue Principale. He was accompanied by his interpreter, his wife and daughter as well as Daniel Arès, a baseball enthusiast who speaks Spanish with whom he will be staying. Oscar has no wife or children.
“I’m married to baseball,” he laughs. As long as I’m on the pitch and I have a ball in my hand, I’m happy!”
He made him aware of the existence of a good caliber baseball league in Quebec via the two Japanese from Brock de Drummondville, Chikara Igami and Ryo Kohigashi. Both strongly encouraged him to come play in our corner of North America.
“I can’t wait to see for myself the level of play. I don’t really know what to expect, but I’ll see it soon enough.”
Nakaoshi in the company of Daniel Arès, with whom he will live this summer, and Eric Hidalgo, who serves as his interpreter. (The Voice of the East)
He likes what he sees of Granby so far, “a clean town that seems peaceful.” This summer, aside from playing baseball, he plans to train (a lot, it seems) and do a little sightseeing. And for those who are wondering, he doesn’t come to play baseball with us voluntarily. No way!
For those in the know, know that the speed of his fastball often reaches 90 miles per hour, that he has a good curve and a good slider. But he affirms that his strength, his great strength, is his “mind”. “Because baseball is played in the head,” he said.
Oscar Nakaoshi has baseball in his skin. It is obvious. And we can’t wait to see him on the mound.
