Mitsuteru Terada: From Professional Baseball Player to⁣ Doctor

Pursuing Two Dreams in One Lifetime

Mitsuteru Terada, a former pitcher for ‍DeNA, is taking‌ steps to ‍become the first Japanese‌ man in ‍history to make the transition from professional baseball player to doctor. After completing his course​ at Tokai University School of Medicine, he plans​ to take the national medical examination.

Inspiration from “Superhumans”

Terada’s dream of becoming ​a doctor was inspired by “superhumans” ​who ⁤have achieved great things in their careers.⁢ He cites Mark Hamilton, a former Cardinals infielder who‍ became an internal medicine resident, and Gail Hopkins, a former Hiroshima player who became an orthopedic surgeon.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving His Dream

Terada’s journey to​ becoming a professional baseball player was not easy.⁣ He was born and raised ‍in an environment where medical care was always close at⁣ hand, with his family having a history of doctors.‍ However, he initially struggled to excel in ⁢baseball and ‍had to rethink his future.

“Asao-style Training” ‌and Its Impact

Terada’s ⁢unique “self-training” brought him‍ closer to ​becoming‌ a baseball player. He worked part-time and practiced at night on the‍ grounds of his old middle school, using⁢ a ⁣routine taught to him by an old friend of his favorite former Chunichi Dragons pitcher, Asao Takuya.

From Baseball to⁢ Medicine

After retiring‍ from baseball, Terada aspired to⁣ become a doctor once ‍again. He was accepted⁤ into the Tokai University⁢ School of Medicine and currently makes a living by coaching baseball, mainly for children. He is interested in ‍”sports medicine,” which deals ‍with the prevention and treatment⁣ of medical problems⁢ that arise ⁤from exercise ⁢and sports.

Giving Back to the Community

Terada’s ultimate goal is to base himself in his​ hometown of Ise City ⁤and give back to the ⁣Baystars, who⁣ made his dream come true, in ⁢some⁤ other way, such as as ⁣a team⁤ doctor.

A Life of ​Pursuing Two Dreams

Terada’s​ life of trying to make the dreams of “two people” come true is still only halfway ‌through. He is determined to succeed in both his ‍medical and baseball careers,⁢ and his ‍story serves‌ as an inspiration to those who ​are pursuing their passions.