Takero Okajima, a player in his 13th professional season, is one of the few championship warriors who knows the feeling of a Japanese championship with the Rakuten Eagles.At the time, I was still in my second year and quite young, but now I have become a veteran, emitting a strong presence not only through my play but also as a mental pillar.Think for the team, act for the team.This seemingly obvious yet actually quite difficult stance might just be the reason why he has been needed for many years.

――In recent years, it seems that the Rakuten Eagles have been revitalized due to the rise of key players like Ryosuke Tatsumi and Yuya Ogoh.How does Okajima view this year’s team?

There’s a feeling that once we gain momentum, we can’t be stopped. I felt that we have started to develop a way of proceeding in the game where, in the Japan Life Insurance Central vs Pacific league interleague game where we won for the first time, if we score one point, we get two points, and if we score two points, we get three points.Returning to league matches, there may be things that don’t go well, but such things often happen over a long season, so all we can do is to keep moving forward without looking down.

―― I believe the atmosphere created by Manager Imae Toshiaki, who took over the team this year, is directly linked to the current team’s mood.From Okajima’s perspective, how do you find Manager Imae’s guidance?

First, we often see scenes where he is having conversations with the athletes.I have been told, “Thank you for always cheering from the bench,” over something trivial.I feel that he is  truly watching the athletes.

―― The rejuvenation of the Rakuten Eagles.What kind of “future” do you envision as a team?

Since we have some promising players emerging right now, I am really looking forward to the Rakuten Eagles over the next five years.I believe we are becoming a truly strong team.I think it’s difficult to keep appearing regularly, but I want to stay on the field until the very end.And I want to contribute to the team while sharing my experiences and thoughts.

――How do you feel personally?

I’m not one to look too far ahead; I just think, “Let’s do our best today.”It would be nice if the accumulation of every day could lead to the future.

――Now that you are considered a veteran, is there anything that you are consciously working on?

What I always keep in mind is to step onto the field every day as the same person.I make a conscious effort to not come to the ballpark feeling down, or thinking, “Today is going to be tough.”

――What is the reason for being conscious of that?

I myself wonder, “What is this person thinking?”.Given such circumstances, I always want to interact with my teammates in a normal way, and I hope to avoid making them feel awkward or obliged to act differently around me.As I’ve aged, such awareness has only grown stronger.

――We often see Ginji Akaminai, who retired last year, talking with you when he comes to watch the practice.

Even if I’m not in the game,he calls out to me “Nice batting!” (laughs).We often engage in such trivial conversations, but Ginji Akaminai’s presence is significant. He really is a person who doesn’t change, in both good times and bad.During my active years, regardless of my baseball performance, he always treated me the same way.So, I might be trying to learn from those aspects and keep them in mind. He has truly been a blessing since my active days, and I believe that will never change in the future.

――As a long-time professional baseball player, can you give some advice to children who dream of becoming professional baseball players?

What I did to become a professional baseball player was to keep swinging a bat, even just once a day, 365 days a year, in addition to my club activities.On the day I swung 100 times, of course there were times when I swung even more, but there were also times when I felt too exhausted to even swing once….Even so, every day anyway.That might be the only part where I can say I truly made an effort.Indeed, the larger the goal becomes, the more things you absolutely have to do to reach it.That’s why setting your own goals becomes very important.Honestly, if you ask me what the meaning of this is, there might not be any, but no matter what it is, it’s important to “keep going” with what you’ve decided towards a goal.

――What aspects would you change for the better future of professional Baseball?

I feel that it would be great if we could increase the opportunities for children to visit the baseball stadium.There are various events held at the stadium, and there are also plenty of delicious gourmet food options.Especially in the case of the Rakuten Eagles, there are even ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds at their home ground, Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi.No matter what the initial reason may be, if the opportunities for children to come increase, they will say, “I want to play in a place like this!”Isn’t it possible that you might think so?

The all-out play that remains unchanged even as a veteran always fascinates the fans.Furthermore, the more they age, the more they feel the need to engage. They earn the respect of their juniors through their relentless commitment and dedication to baseball.Even if the chances of starting in the lineup decrease, there’s no doubt that he is an indispensable player on the bench.I hope you will pay attention to his play, which, using his inherent competitive strength as a weapon, repeatedly fires up the crowd in the stands.

TEXT: Chiharu Abe
EDIT: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)