Boomer Wells Part 2 by Hiromi Matsunaga
Former Hankyu Braves (now Orix Buffaloes) player, Boomer Wells, made history in 1984 as the first foreign player to win the Triple Crown. Hiromi Matsunaga, a former teammate of Wells, shares his perspective on the exceptional batting skills displayed by the renowned player. Additionally, Matsunaga reveals an interesting incident involving a disagreement over the batting order.
In a conversation with Matsunaga, we delve into his observations of Wells’ batting during their ten years together in the NPB. With an impressive career batting average of .317, 277 home runs, and 901 RBIs, Wells’ prowess was undeniable. Matsunaga recalls a particularly awe-inspiring moment during practice at Nishinomiya Daini Stadium, where Wells effortlessly hit a liner that soared over the fence. Such displays of power were not uncommon from Wells, as he could often be seen hitting balls onto the third floor of the Hankyu players’ dormitory, which was adjacent to the stadium.
Reflecting on his own abilities as a hitter, Matsunaga humbly admits to being just an average player. Prior to joining Hankyu, Matsunaga had only achieved a total OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of .566 in his two years in the majors. While many foreign players believed their success in the majors would translate to success in Japan, it was not always the case. Nonetheless, Wells understood his position when he arrived in Japan and proclaimed himself as not solely a home run hitter. However, with a total OPS of .927 in Japan, Wells’ performance was undeniably world-class.
Witnessing Wells’ extraordinary skills and understanding the challenges faced by foreign players in Japan, Matsunaga developed a profound respect for his teammate. Stay tuned for more intriguing insights into the relationship between these two remarkable players.
For images related to this article, please refer to the links provided.
[Sut i gymryd rhythm unigryw Boomer]
– In your 10 years at NPB, Mr. Boomer has achieved impressive results with a career batting average of .317, 277 homers, and 901 RBIs. What was it like watching the batting as a teammate?
Hiromi Matsunaga (below: Matsunaga): “There may be a difference in physique, but first of all, there is a difference in power. When Boomer was batting at Nishinomiya Daini Stadium, where the Hankyu Braves practiced, I was playing defense at third base. I vividly recall one incident where I attempted to catch a batted ball, only for it to unexpectedly jump over the fence.”
It was an extraordinary sight to behold, as the power behind Wells’ batting was unparalleled. At times, we even witnessed balls being hit onto the third floor of the Hankyu players’ dormitory. Moreover, during games at Nishinomiya Stadium, Wells managed to hit balls that flew approximately 160 meters beyond the stadium. This impressive display of strength was not surprising considering the presence of a bike race track with steep banking at the field’s end. Needless to say, we were all in awe.
– From the beginning, Wells proved himself to be an extraordinary player.
Matsunaga: “I have always considered him a remarkable player. However, personally, I regarded myself as an average hitter, lacking the ability to hit for a long distance. In my two years in the majors before joining Hankyu, my total OPS was a mere .566.”
It is common for foreign players to believe that their success in the majors guarantees success in Japan as well. However, history has shown many instances where this presumption proved unfounded. Nevertheless, Wells remained aware of his own capabilities upon his arrival in Japan and did not solely identify himself as a home run hitter. With an exceptional total OPS of .927 in Japan, Wells undeniably achieved outstanding results on a global scale.
As we delve deeper into our discussion with Matsunaga, it becomes evident that Wells’ unique batting skills and his understanding of the challenges faced by foreign players greatly contributed to his success in Japan. Stay tuned for more intriguing tales from this captivating duo.
Why did Boomer get into trouble with Hiromi Matsunaga? See the pictures linked to this article.
Boomer Wells Part 2 by Hiromi Matsunaga
(Part 1: Boomer is a “gentle and compassionate person” Hiromi Matsunaga looks back on frog pranks and birthday surprises >>)
Former Hankyu Braves (now Orix Buffaloes) Boomer Wells became the first foreign player to win the Triple Crown in 1984. How did Hankyu teammate Hiromi Matsunaga see that batting? We also heard about the episode where they argued over the batting order, the reason and the end.
Why did Boomer get into trouble with Hiromi Matsunaga? See the pictures linked to this article
[Sut i gymryd rhythm unigryw Boomer]
――In your 10 years at NPB, Mr. Boomer has achieved impressive results with a career batting average of .317, 277 homers, and 901 RBIs. What was it like watching the batting as a teammate?
Hiromi Matsunaga (below: Matsunaga) There may be a difference in physique, but first of all there is a difference in power. When Boomer was batting loose at Nishinomiya Daini Stadium, where the Hankyu Braves practiced, I was defending at third. One day, when I was trying to catch a batted ball that was flying with a liner, the ball jumped and went over the fence.
The Hankyu players’ dormitory was next to the center right side of Nishinomiya Stadium No. 2, and there were times when we hit the ball on the 3rd floor. Also, at Nishinomiya Stadium, I think I probably flew about 160m outside the stadium. Nishinomiya Stadium also had a bike race, so there was a bank set up at the end of the field, and I was hitting the ball with a lot of power. You were amazed.
――From the beginning, you were showing your unconventional power.
Matsunaga: I thought we had a great player. However, I recognized myself as an average hitter, not a long hitter. Sure, in the two years I played in the majors before coming to Hankyu, my total OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) was only .566.
Among the foreign assistants, it seems that there are many players who thought, “I have had good results in the majors, so I can hit in Japan,” but in fact, there are many examples of people who could not hit on all I think the reason why Boomer can say “I’m not a home run hitter” is because he knew his situation when he came to Japan. However, a .927 OPS total in Japan is a world-class number.
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