Former Chunichi Left-Hander Becomes Team’s Pitching Coach
Shinji Imanaka, a former left-handed pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons, transitioned into a coaching role with the team from 2012 to 2013. Initially, he coached the junior 2nd team and then moved up to coaching the 1st team under the leadership of coach Morimichi Takagi. During his tenure as pitching coach, players such as Yudai Ohno developed into first-team strength under his guidance. Imanaka, who currently serves as a baseball commentator and president of S-Project Co., Ltd in Nagoya City, took some time to reflect on his coaching experience and offered some words of encouragement for the team as they aim to climb out of last place for the second consecutive year, led by coach Kazuyoshi Tatsunami.
Early Career and Retirement
Imanaka joined Chunichi in the 1988 draft directly from Osaka Toin. By the age of 25, he had already achieved success as a left-handed ace player. However, shoulder injuries led to his retirement at the end of the 2001 season at the age of 30 with a total of 91 wins and 74 complete games. His retirement ceremony, which took place on March 23, 2002, saw him engage in a lighthearted game with outfielder Yoshitomo Tani before playing his final game at the Nagoya Dome.
Coaching Journey with Chunichi
As the pitching coach for the Dragons’ second team in 2012, Imanaka focused on player development rather than winning or losing. He invested significant effort in training young pitchers, even adapting to the weather conditions during training sessions. Imanaka’s coaching methods included unique physical training regimens such as running between poles to improve the starting pitchers’ focus and performance. When he transitioned to coaching the first team in 2013, Imanaka pushed the young pitchers to compete and pushed them hard during training camps and practice sessions. His efforts paid off when one of the pitchers, Yudai Ohno, achieved double-digit wins for the first time that season. Ohno has since become a key player supporting Chunichi’s pitching staff.
Words of Wisdom
Imanaka emphasized the importance of hard work and determination, encouraging the young players to put in more effort and be motivated. He expressed his concerns about Chunichi’s pitching staff’s performance, particularly the number of walks, and urged the pitchers to prioritize giving their best effort and maintaining rhythm in their play. Despite being now retired from his coaching role, Imanaka remains actively engaged in the baseball world, balancing his responsibilities as a baseball commentator and president of S-Project Co., Ltd. Although he has not worn a uniform since 2013, there is still a sense of charisma surrounding him, and he is open to the possibility of returning to the field.
Legacy and Future
Imanaka’s unique style of coaching and his unwavering commitment to the sport have left a lasting impression. Despite his retirement, his dedication to baseball remains unwavering, leaving a sense of optimism about his future in the sport. His illustrious career and contributions to Chunichi make his perspective and insights highly regarded within the baseball community. Indeed, his impact on the sport continues to resonate, reaffirming the enduring legacy of a player turned coach who has left an indelible mark on the game.
Reflecting on the Journey
Imanaka’s journey, from an ace left-handed pitcher to a dedicated coach, serves as an inspiration for aspiring players and coaches alike. As he continues to navigate the diverse and demanding facets of the baseball world, his wisdom and experience stand as a testament to the enduring connection between the sport and its players, both on and off the field.
Shinji Imanaka served as Chunichi’s pitching coach in 2012 and 2013, coaching young players.
Former Chunichi left-hander Shinji Imanaka served as the pitching coach for his former team, the Dragons, for two seasons starting in 2012. Under coach Morimichi Takagi, he coached the junior 2nd team in his first year and in the 1st in his second year. During that time, left-handed pitcher Yudai Ohno and others grew into first-team strength. Mr. Imanaka, who is currently a baseball commentator and president of S-Project Co., Ltd (Nagoya City), looks back on his time as a coach and gives an impassioned message to Chunichi, led by coach Kazuyoshi Tasunami, who is aiming to come back from last place for the second year in a row.
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Mr. joined. Imanaka with Chunichi of Osaka Toin in the 1988 draft. By the time he was 25, his 8th year as a pro (1996), he had great success as a left-handed ace player, but suffered from left shoulder pain and retired at the end of the 2001 season when he 30 years. old The retirement ceremony for the legendary left-handed pitcher, who had a total of 91 wins and 74 complete games, was held at the Nagoya Dome on March 23, 2002 in an opener against Orix. Before playing the ball, he had a “game” with the opposition’s leading batsman, outfielder Yoshitomo Tani.
He threw every pitch quickly. The first pitch was a ball, and from the second pitch, Tani whipped three balls in a row. “Even though I say it’s straight, it’s only about 110km. I hadn’t practised.” After he finished pitching, he leveled the mound, shook hands with Kazuyoshi Tasunami and players in other fields, and finally with that game’s starting pitcher, Masa Yamamoto, before stepping off the mound and waving to the cheering crowd.
During the 2012 season Imanaka wore the Dragons uniform again. The first team is coached by Takagi, and the second team is coached by Takamasa Suzuki. Under that system, he became the second team’s pitching coach. “When I coached the second team, I wasn’t worried about winning or losing at all. I had to get them to pitch and train. Game practice isn’t good at all, so I run in during the season too. I’m exhausted. There were times when I had to figure out what kind of pitch to use. Before the rainy season, I even tried to get into it during the training month.”
It is said that he once instructed the pitchers to run between the poles from the first and third innings of a game. “It’s not about the number of hits, it’s just up to the third inning. Tell the starting pitcher, if you don’t play fast, the number of hits will increase. The bench personnel will also run, then come back, get ready , and then pitch (in the game). . How far can you throw it? Try to remember it with your body.” For this reason, if he goes on an expedition where there is room to run, he increases the number of people he goes with him.
A message to young people in Chunichi: “It is right for you to put more effort into what you are doing so desperately.”
In 2013, Imanaka became the first team’s pitching coach, and he says, “I had to do something with the young pitchers, so I made them compete.”“We practiced hard in camp. , and doing pitching week and running games. At that time, the one who ended up staying (as a starting rotation pitcher) was Ohno. It was tough. There were other tough players too. many of them.”
Ohno reached double digits with 10 wins for the first time in the 2013 season. Since then, he has continued to support Chunichi’s pitching staff as an ace. Although he only played in one game in 2023 due to left elbow surgery, he is expected to return. It is said that Mr. Imanaka said this to Ohno once. “I said, “Don’t smile bitterly when you get hit.” Although he said he was an ace, I don’t know if he’s losing pitch, but I said, “If you so , everyone would do it, right?”Of course, needless to say I was excited because I was looking forward to this.
As a former student of Chunichi, Imanaka looks forward to the return of the Tatsunami Dragons. “It’s been two years since I’ve been able to hold back, so I think it’s time I let go of my patience and try a little harder.”Besides, he said, “ I think the players need to be a bit more motivated. I don’t feel that feeling from the young players who are used. It’s not that they’re getting results or that they’re not getting results, but that they should focus more on how they work hard.” “It’s fine. The people who are watching are watching. At the moment, it looks like they’re making mistakes with ease.”
As for Chunichi’s pitching staff, he said with a sour expression, “They have a lot of walks (445 in 2023, the worst in the league).”“Even if you get a turn, you should just stop it, but even if you do, there’s still a rhythm to it. The rhythm is bad. “Maybe there are some reasons why you’re not scoring points,” he said flatly.
To the pitchers: “My best effort comes first. The batsman’s failure to hit is secondary.”
There was a noticeable silence among the batting team, and there was talk of sympathy for the pitchers, but Imanaka said, “If you take that seriously, you won’t be able to win. It’s certainly impossible for you not to win with a no-hitter or a perfect game.””But it’s over now. Instead, I have to work hard first. Whether the hit hits or not hits is secondary.” “There’s a difference between going from two-strike to a full count and holding her down, and going from two-strike to a quick pop. Rhythm is absolutely important.”
At the moment, Mr. Imanaka also serves as president of S-Project Co., Ltd. “I do building maintenance and cleaning, and I also act as a mediator to match companies together. If I need someone to host an event, I look for people, and sometimes I show up myself.”He balances that work with being a baseball commentator, and his days are busy.
On the other hand, he hasn’t worn a uniform since retiring as Chunichi’s pitching coach in 2013, but he says, “It’s time that matters to him.”“If I’m told to wear a uniform, I might wear it, but if I don’t hear anything, that’s fine,” he said cheekily. However, Mr Imanaka, who is only 52 years old, has a lot of charm. There is still a future in his baseball career. I don’t think the baseball world will let things rest, with this rare southpaw who is also a theory oriented person as their coach.
I thought he was throwing a fastball without changing his facial expression, but then, with the same expression on his face, he threw a slow curveball with the same arm swing or even stronger. His slow and slow pitch was artistic, but also gave the impression of invincible strength. I let it happen. When he retired in 2001, fighting general Senichi Hoshino said, “I don’t think there will be another pitcher like this in the future.” Even now, more than 20 years later…
(Shinji Yamaguchi)
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