Tricia Takanawa, Takanawa Times

06/14/2013: Kawaguchi, Japan – Hello fans, I am Tricia Takanawa, and tonight we will have a dinner date with two of the top rookies in this 2013 season.  This evening we will have RF Kiyonori Kato and CF Raúl Gómez.  Both currently play for the Seoul Crushers of the LRS.  Playing in the BBG, both of these amazing players are in the top 10 of most batting categories.  Kato and Gómez look to have bright futures in this league.

So without further adieu, let’s get to dinner.  Seated neatly around the table are owner Mark Kierstead, Kato, Gómez and myself.  The location is the Saboten Japanese-style restaurant just outside of RKO Station.

Takanawa: Mr. Kierstead, you must feel pretty good to have these two bats on your team.

Kierstead: Yes, I do.  Kato and Gómez are doing more then what I could ever ask of them.

Kato: When Mr. Kierstead was GM of the Crushers, he asked about me all the time.  He had a very deep interest in me.

Takanawa: Gómez, you have been in the organization since 2010.  How has the ride been so far?  You seem to have been doing well for years in the minors.

Gómez: It has been great.  I just try to play as hard as I can and help out any way possible.

Takanawa: Whom do you both look up to on the team?  Who helps guide you and make you a better player?

Kato and Gómezlook at each other at the same time and say, “3B José Escalante.”

Takanawa: Wow!  You both had the same person in mind.  What makes Escalante a role model?

Gómez: To me, it is that he is so smart when it comes to the game.  He tries to help make you a better ball player.  He is so loyal to the team; he shows that even when the team is not doing well, his ability to produce does not waver.

Kato: Everyone looks up to him.  He may not be classified as a leader per say, but he leads.  When I had trouble at the start of the year, he sat down with me and went over what I could improve on.

Kierstead: I should thank the Lupin Cliff Hangers.  When I asked about Tadamasa “Six Pack” Hashimoto, they said only way we will do this is if you take Escalante.  I jumped at that opportunity.  I get a dominant pitcher and a great batter.

Takanawa: Seoul is doing well this year despite its obvious lack of pitching.  Your record is much better than last year at this time.  Kato and Gómez have helped.  Do you think pitching will get better soon?

Kierstead: Well, we have a group of bright players on the way up as we speak.  Our lack of pitching comes down to me and me only.  I have concentrated on out batters as of late, but as it shows, it has helped.  At this time, I am working on a few trades that may bring us another quality pitcher.  But this is all up in the air.

Takanawa: Kato, you are batting .371 with 3 HR and 16 RBI, you also lead the league in hits with 49 so far this year.  Gómez is not far behind you with a .356 AVG, 1 HR and 9 RBI.  Do you guys complete with each other?  How much pressure is on you to play well?

Kato: It’s a blessing to play for Seoul and I just try to do my best.  We do compete a lot.  We do it every game.  Whoever plays the best that given night, the other player pays for dinner.  The pressure is there; you just have to know how to handle it.  Escalante helps with that, too.

Gómez: The pressure is only as much as you make it.  Escalante showed us a breathing technique that helps us when we are feeling pressure.  Kato so far has had to buy the least amount of dinners.  We room together, so it’s good.

Kierstead: Well, you’re both lucky because tonight dinner is on me.  You two just make sure you keep it up.  Kato, your hitting has come full circle; keep it up.  Gómez, you are doing a great job also.  If you two need anything, you know I have an open door policy.  I am off for the night; you guys finish up when you are ready.

Kierstead stands.  Before he leaves, he leans over, whispers in Kato’s ear and tosses him a grin.  Kato laughs and says, “Will do.”  Gómez tosses a smirk towards Kato and digs into his meal.  The rest of the night goes quietly.  I notice Gómez and Kato get along very well.  You could almost mistake them for brothers.

I am Tricia Takanawa and this is the Takanawa Times.