KOA Radio 850

6/16/2011: Aurora, Colorado – Mark Gunter and George Crocker sat down with Aurora starting pitcher Kijuro Kojima to look at his life in America, his career and the season thus far for the Borealis.

Crock: Konnichiwa everyone, George Crocker reporting to you from Tempe before tonight’s game here at Knights Stadium.  I’m with my partner Mark Gunter.

Gunt: Hey folks, this is A Crock of Gunt.  Tonight we have a special guest with us.  You all know him as Ko-Ji-Ma.  Right-hander Kijuro Kojima.

Kojima: I thank you.

Gunt: You came to Aurora after signing a 2-year deal with London out of the Japanese League, and after 19 starts you were traded along with Jim White.  That turned out to be a strong deal for Aurora.  What were your thoughts?

Kojima: I don’t understand deal.  I came to London to pitch in championships for them, and they degrade me by trading Kojima.  They tell me no reasoning.  Jimmy-Bo tell me it OK, we go to better place.  I believe him and we pitch for championship here.

Crock: So what kind of sushi do you like?  California Roll?  Who has the best stuff in town, ‘cause I love a great California Roll.  How about edamame?

Kojima: That not do with baseball, Cocker.  Where I come from in Toyoake is a small town and we not eat sushi.  Kobe.  We live on sea, but prefer Kobe.

Gunt: So your career with Aurora has been very strong: 62-31, and with your decisions at London you have 67 wins, 6^th best in the PEBA, joining teammates John Roach and George Thompson in the top 8 all-time.  What do you credit your success to?

Kojima: Each day begin with mediation to Buddha, and I see pitch thrown during meditate.  Before I pitch, I sit by locker and meditation about the game.  I pitch game in head.  I see the game before I pitch.  I tell catcher, maybe Berry, what pitch work that day and that what we call.

Crock: Wow, I tried that once too.  I closed my eyes before a big at bat against Andrew Sepkiechler.  Man I crushed the ball, drove in three, won the game!  I was stoked.  Did a lap around the on deck circle, blew kisses to the crowd…

Gunt: (rolling eyes) What happened at the plate George?

Crock: I… I… don’t recall…

Kojima: Perhap you strikeout.  You not believe in the meditate.  You mock it power to lead you in right direction.  You must do every day, as I.  That why you fail in Japan.

Gunt: Fail in Japan?  What are you talking about Kojima?

Kojima: He’s jersey.  He not tell you about tryout in Kyoto?

Gunt: George, you want to explain to our listeners what Kojima is talking about?

Crock: I… I, ah… After they cut me unfairly in Kalamazoo – can you imagine that?  I was having the best season in the team’s history and they cut me!  So I went to Japan for a tryout.  I still have it.  But in Tokyo they said, “No thanks,” not even giving me a chance to throw a ball.  I went all the way to Japan and they wouldn’t let me throw a ball!  Osaka didn’t even return my call.  In Nagasaki they handed me a mop!  At least Kyoto let me take the field at a tryout!

Kojima: My cousin Yoshino, who pitch for Niihama-shi, saw tryout.  Cocker never touch ball.

Crock: That’s not true!  I helped pick them up after the tryout.  Just like the PEBA, they are blackballing me in Japan.  Why me?  I’m a star…..

Gunt: Blackballed?  Join the crowd.  So do you credit meditation with last night’s performance in Aurora’s 5-4 victory over Crystal Lake?

Kojima: Most definitely.  I angry Toro take me out after Molina single.  I make good pitch – back-door slider I saw that morning in meditation – and he roll ball half to 3^rd.  Bryant do good job and end inning.

Crock: So you must be pretty bummed about the trading of your homeboy Kiyo.

Kojima: Kiyomizu trade twice.  Don’t understand why San Antonio trade him?  He good player.  I like Plexego.  He hit well.  Has two hits against me, both on changeup.

Gunt: I understand that you are a bike enthusiast?  When did you begin riding the hog?

Kojima: I love my bike.  When we in Auwora, I like ride the day after I pitch.  I get up in morning and ride up I-70 to ski resorts and small town.  I start as kid with dirt bike.  My Papa-san tell me to make choice – baseball or bike.

Crock: So are you like a hardcore biker dude?  Maybe a spiked helmet, leather jacket with fringe, and a buxom chick on the back?  Would we see you cruising through Sturgis on a Harley?

Kojima: I do go to Sturgis soon.  The rally happen when we go to Fargo.  If I no pitch, then I want go.  I ask Toro and he say, “Maybe.”  I want to ride into town and donut in center.  I look forward to trip.  Meet ZZ Top!  Hey, “Evewy Giwl Cwazy ‘Bout a Shawp Dwessed Man.”  I already have my camping spot at Buffalo Chip.

Crock: Dude… that is so totally rad!  I was just kiddin’!  The team actually lets you ride?  Why would they give you the time off?  I’d love to go!

Kojima: Kojima not go with a Cocker. (Kojima smiles for first time in the interview)  We have off-day before going to Fargo, and I probably not pitch, but maybe I do.  August long way away.

Gunt: Looking ahead, Kijuro, you signed a three-year extension two years ago and that contract expires after next season.  What are your plans, hopes and expectations?

Kojima: Auwora been werry, werry good to me.  They treat me good and I say I stay if they continue that.  I want my payday, but I not go to Tempe just because they offer more money.  I want to be loyal, but they be loyal to Kojima.

Gunt: So does that mean you won’t be seeking John Roach money?

Kojima: Woachie a great pitcher.  But Kojima also werry good.  I want one day to pitch in LRS.  I dream pitch for Lupin.  I love the top hat.

Crock: So you’re scheduled to pitch Saturday at Tempe.  Do you plan to shadow pitch in the desert against the cactus?  Bike out there?  Drop a change or three on those Saguaro?

Kojima: Cocker, why you mock me?  Tempe playing strong.  I may pitch Sunday against Hancocker, Toro says.  We see.  It matter not.  We beat him before.  Happiest player is Bill Bradley; he not pitch against Hancocker this time.  He have tough matchups each week.

Gunt: 96 games are left in the season and it looks like there may be a real dogfight for the three playoff spots that are likely coming from the Desert Hills.  How do you see the rest of the season play out?

Kojima: Bears, Codgers and Knights all werry tough.  I have no idea.  We need to worry about us.  We pitch good and hit good too.  If Auwora do our job, we be OK.  They pass us first, then worry.  Plexego help big.  Woachie come back and help us bigger.  I not want to be Toro when Woachie come back.

Crock: Yeah, like, wow… what are they going to do?  Trade Roach?  Bradley?  Ko-Ji-Ma?

Kojima: Cocker, you fool.  No trade.  No trade me, no trade Bill, no trade Woachie.  I think no more trade made.  Team is stronger with no trade.

Gunt: Well, we are out of time, and we’d like to thank Kijuro for visiting with us.  Good luck with Tempe this weekend.

Crock: Yeah, thanks a lot… busting me out about Japan… they don’t know the star power they are missing out on.  I’d have been a Meikyukai.

Kojima: Pfff… you not play in Western League.