“In a Flash, He Was Gone.”
A Special Report from ESPN-Japan Radio
August 11, 2013
Host Fujiyama Norohito: As most of you know, Niihama-shi DH Shigochiyo Memoto, a 41-year old potential future Hall of Famer, fractured his knee sliding into third last night. It happened as the Ghosts played the Shinkansen in Hyakujuu. Memoto would not be interviewed and in fact has made no comment since the season-ending – and perhaps career-ending – injury, but ESPN-Japan Radio collected the thoughts of numerous players, coaches and fans who witnessed what is likely to be Memoto’s final game.
Shigekazu Takahashi, Shinkansen 3B: It was the top of 4th and we’re up on the Ghosts 3-0. Shiggy’s on first thanks to a fielder’s choice. (CF Natsu) Ikeda hits a single right to (2B Hokusai) Aoki. Most of the younger guys would have just walked in easily into second and checked their manicures. Not Shiggy; he’s trying to make something happen. He doesn’t even pause to see where the ball is going; he’s heading for third all the way! So I got in place for the throw from Aoki.
Hokusai Aoki, Shinkansen 2B: Shiggy’s not the fastest guy. Heh. I admire he was trying to get to third. A 41-year-old guy trying to advance to third on a routine single? I think I was very surprised he was going and that cost me a split second in getting the throw off to Takahashi. Shiggy slid in a second ahead of the throw. The old man was safe at third! I shook my head and laughed at his gumption for going. Then… then I realized he was hurt.
Naizen Kimura, veteran Ghosts IF: The last two seasons have taken their toll on Shiggy. He knew his skills were eroding, and all that sniping on the internet about his contract extension. And the losing; the losing has been tough on him. I bet that’s why he tried getting to third on that play. I think he had just had enough of our anemic offense. He made up his mind that he was going to single-handedly jumpstart things. From the dugout, I could see venom in his eyes as he slid. He barreled into Takahashi, determined to create some damn runs. But — his leg just snapped.
Hisashi Fujii, Ghosts Manager: I heard the break. Loud and clear, all the way in the dugout. It sounded like a champagne bottle popping. We all knew it was bad. I waived to (trainer Shojiro) Sasakito get the hell out there. I couldn’t go out. I knew that was it; I would never write him into a lineup again. My hands were shaking and I needed a cigarette.
Natsu Ikeda, Ghosts CF, who had advanced to second: I watched him lying on the ground. He was writhing around, clearly in terrible pain but refusing to groan or cry. Never uttered a sound. He… he… (swallows and stops). I was upset. I thought I was going to vomit right there at second base.
Shigekazu Shigenoi, 34, Shinkansen fan: The moment it happened, there was complete, utter silence in the stadium. It was like the world froze. Everyone stood, everyone – out of respect.
Yuji Nakayama, Ghosts third base coach: He was so quiet, I kneeled down to make sure he was conscious. I took one look at the knee. Blood had already seeped through his uniform. I was afraid he was going to try to limp off the field. I think he knew it was his last time in a Ghosts uniform. He knew it, and I knew he didn’t want to be carried off the field. He’d want to walk off. He sat halfway up and I told him, “Don’t you move, goddamn it. Don’t try to get up.”
Shojiro Sasaki, Ghosts Trainer: Yes, he did want to walk off the field. I wanted to use a stretcher. Hell, bone had even broken the skin. We argued a minute, then compromised. He was carried off standing, hopping on his good leg with his arms wrapped round Yuji’s and my shoulders. But at least he left the field standing. At least we gave him that.
Yuriko Nakamura, 62, longtime Ghosts fan: My wife and I travel to as many away games as we can. I can’t believe we saw this one. We saw Shiggy’s last game! My wife was crying and I even felt a bit choked up. First they trade Hasegawa, don’t re-sign Ortega, and now this. Our Ghosts are gone. (Sniffles) They’re gone.
Akimoto Kasuma, 44, Shinkansen season ticket holder: Sure, he’s a Ghost. A lot of us hate the Ghosts, but not Memoto. He was a superstar, and even though he’d been in decline, he was still playing hard. We admire that. When he was carried off, everyone applauded. We knew it was the end of an era. He deserved our applause.
Ayumu Suzuki, 55, Ghosts fan who attended the game: I will always respect the Shinkansen fans for honoring him that way. Shiggy Memoto epitomized the Ghosts when they were great. He worked hard, never complained, and was… what’s the word?… umm, classy. Unlike a lot of these younger guys, these complainers. I can’t imagine a Ghosts team without him. Goodness, Memoto was the Ghosts, and in a flash, he was gone.
Shigekazu Takahashi, Shinkansen 3B: They sent (veteran Ghosts IF Sadao) Kudo out to take his place at third. Let me tell you, that was an unbelievably great move. Kudo has been a Ghost as long as Memoto. They’re lifers. What a classy move. So much better than if they’d sent out a hotshot kid to take his place. When Sadao came out, I said, “He’s done, isn’t he? He’s done?” Sadao just kicked some dirt and nodded a little. He couldn’t talk, but he knew.
Hisashi Fujii, Ghosts Manager: Kudo was the only guy I wanted out there, the only guy with the stature to take Memoto’s spot in the lineup at that hellacious moment. I know it wasn’t easy for him. Then Alan (SS Alan Rodgers) lines a shot past the shortstop and Kudo scores standing up. We all high-fived, though our hearts weren’t in it. But Shiggy made that run happen by trying for third, so I was glad, at least, that the run scored. We lost the game, but that g’damn run scored. It was Shiggy’s final run.
Sadao Kudo, Ghosts IF: When I crossed home plate, I said a little prayer for him. Shiggy and I have been together since the beginning of the Ghosts in 2007, the beginning of the LRS. He was such a private guy, I’m sure he’s hating all the accolades that are pouring in now. I’ll text him and give him crap about it. Tonight, though, I have to go into the clubhouse knowing he won’t be there. He won’t be in the lineup again, ever. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to do it. (Sighs deeply) I don’t know.
Sergio Manuel, veteran Ghosts SP: I walked with him as they carried him out to the ambulance. The pain was clearly worse than he was letting on. I tried joking with him that he’d done this just so he could sit home and count his millions. He said, “You wish you had my money, cowboy.” Yes, Shiggy. But it never really was about the money, despite what some said after he got that extension. It was only ever about the game and the Ghosts. He never wanted to give either one up. Some days I’d watch him taking BP and think, “He’s going be playing at 80.” Then one pop! and it’s over. Oh, Shiggy. (laughs) You know, we may not have seen the last of him.
Host Fujiyama Norohito: The run scored by Kudo, created by Memoto’s ill-fated decision to slide into third, was the only run the Ghosts scored that day.
Thank you, and good night.