Shingo Horie: Contributing to Victory as PR and Interpreter at the WBC

At the moment of victory, I was on the stairs next to the Samurai Japan dugout. When Ohtani struck out Trout, I rejoiced for a split second, but immediately switched back into work mode.

I watched everyone celebrating on the field from a step back, looking for the right timing to bring players in front of the interview cameras. I didn't have the luxury of soaking in the joy of winning.

After the victory, when Manager Kuriyama finished his press conference and the two of us were returning to the clubhouse, I said "Good job" to him. There was a brief pause, and then with a look of relief, he simply said, "I'm relieved." That left a strong impression on me.

Starting from the Miyazaki camp, there was so much attention from all over Japan, and I think the pressure was immense. I think he was truly relieved to be able to meet the expectations of so many people with the best possible result. For a moment, I almost said "Me too," but I kept it to myself (laughs). The level of pressure was completely different, after all.

During last year's season, I received an offer from the MLB organization to handle PR for the national team. However, the WBC overlaps with the Major League spring training period, and I didn't think Darvish would participate in the WBC in the first place, so I thought it was a grateful offer but impossible. But since Darvish decided to participate, I received approval from the team and Darvish and decided to take on the job.

I don't think I had a particular attachment, but I thought opportunities to work with the national team don't come around often, and it would be a good experience. However, I had a lot of worry and anxiety about whether I was up to the task. So, I went to consult with a respected senior who had served as PR for Samurai Japan and the Olympic Japanese national team, but he just said, "It'll be fine, you can do it," and didn't say much else (laughs). Since I had already accepted, I decided I just had to do it and steeled myself.

I suppose it's that a team that fights as one is strong. I truly felt that when people care for and support each other and are united as a team, they are strong. Even in the Major Leagues, there are teams that seem like powerhouses with a roster of superstars but struggle to win during the season. Unity as a team is truly important.

Also, being able to work while feeling the excitement and level of attention of an international tournament and national competition firsthand was a great achievement.

I mainly interpret when Darvish speaks with the media. Darvish is very good at English, so unless it's a complicated conversation, there isn't much need for me to step into communication between him and other players or coaches. I step in to interpret when things become more technical.

Outside of interpreting, I sometimes attend to and interpret for guests from Japan. If there is a move to acquire Japanese players during the off-season, I sometimes assist with that as well.

That's right. I was allowed to work as the interpreter for Masahiro Tanaka with the New York Yankees. It was Tanaka's first time in America, and he couldn't speak English yet when he first joined, so it felt like we were always together at the ballpark.

I suppose it's providing the support the player seeks. I think it's important to understand what kind of support they need. Since what a player seeks changes depending on the individual, the way I support them naturally differs. I do my work hoping to help create an environment where the player can focus on baseball so they can deliver their best performance on the field.

I've never had a conversation like "I want you to do this, don't do that." We see each other every day, after all. Isn't it something you just sense from that?

It goes without saying, but both Darvish and Tanaka are very serious about their approach to baseball. They prepare thoroughly every day and take the mound for their start once every four or five days. My role is to provide the necessary support so as not to get in the way of that.

To be honest, I didn't think I would become an interpreter. When Tanaka's move to the Yankees was decided and they were hiring an interpreter, I was brought up as one of the candidates. After interviews and such, I was ultimately chosen, and my work as an interpreter began.

I haven't done any formal study. It's more like I learn as I go. I feel like in sports interpreting, trying to translate every single word too politely isn't good. Rather, I think it's important to properly convey what the player is trying to say and the nuance of it in my own words.

Fortunately, I haven't had that so far. But aside from that, I do make mistakes. At a press conference, when I tried to translate what a player said, my mind went completely blank and I didn't remember a thing they said (laughs). But in those moments, the player noticed I was in trouble and whispered the same thing to me again (laughs).

I've never had to advise them on anything like that. Both Darvish and Tanaka are conscious of the fact that they must handle media responses properly, so that has never become an issue.

When I first started working, I didn't have such a clear vision. If I had to say, it was that I wanted to go abroad and work. I worked in Tokyo for about three years, but since I also had a green card (permanent residency), I went to America and decided to pursue work related to the sports I love from there, and headed in that direction.

I first went to America at age five due to my father's work. I lived in Chicago from kindergarten until the middle of 4th grade. From there I returned to Japan and attended a public school in Tokyo until the middle of my second year of junior high, but my father was transferred again, this time to New York for a year. After that, I spent a year in Atlanta, entered Keio Academy of New York for high school, and from there went to Keio University. I went to many places, but my student years ended up being exactly half in Japan and half in America.

I felt that a little. Having to change schools again just when I had finally gotten used to one was tough for a child's heart.

But thinking about it now, I think it was good that I was able to spend my student years in various places. I have friends all over Japan and America. Even after starting work as an interpreter, I meet up with friends from junior high and high school at various places during road trips.

The timing was good. Keio Academy of New York was established just as I was about to enter high school. I chose to go to the Academy partly because of the recommendation of my father, who is a Keio graduate.

Since we were the 1st class, for the first year, there were only 120 of us on that large campus.

I think I talked about various things quite frankly with the teachers.

Dormitory life was just fun. You're with your friends whether you're awake or asleep, so it's full of happy memories.

Yes. Since there were no club activities yet, I think there was a sense of creating them ourselves with the help of the teachers.

However, while clubs were formed, we weren't in any local leagues yet, so we had no opponents to play against. I remember in the first year, we had matches arranged with nearby high schools in the form of so-called friendly matches.

I wonder. I do remember pulling all-nighters to study before exams (laughs). Since I had received about half of my education each in Japan and the US until then, I might have had a certain base in terms of language. So, I don't recall having experiences where I was in trouble because I couldn't keep up with classes.

During my university days, I was allowed to use my time freely. I went on trips often. I would do things like travel through India for over a month with a backpack and friends. Perhaps I had a strong desire to go outside. I joined a seminar and was under the guidance of Professor Ken Arisue in his sociology seminar.

I remember writing a graduation thesis comparing the states of Japan and America, and I remember the professor patiently sticking with me.

I didn't have a particularly strong image, but it's often said that the vertical and horizontal connections are strong. Since I've been working in America for a long time, I might have fewer opportunities to feel that compared to everyone in Japan. But even being here, I can meet a junior like Mr. Toda and help each other out in our work, which is nice.

If possible, I'd like to continue working in the world of sports. It's not that I'm fixated on interpreting, but I'd like to be able to support athletes who go abroad to take on challenges. My experience and know-how so far might be of some use in that area.

That's true. When I came to America in 2001, Major Leaguers from Japan, starting with Ichiro, were drawing attention. There was an opportunity there in the profession of media, and I entered the world of Major League Baseball.

Certainly, now there are more athletes active in America in sports other than baseball, such as basketball and soccer. I'm interested in being involved in different sports in the future, but for now, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work through this connection with the sport of baseball.

I'm not in a position to give a grand message, but if I had to say something, it would be that trying various things will be a plus for you.

I also received the chance to experience the WBC as a member of the Samurai Japan staff this time. Before starting the job, I had endless anxiety and worry, but ultimately, I decided to do the best I could because it was a chance I was given. Looking back after it finished, there were naturally failures, but I feel that I was given a truly wonderful experience.

I think all of you will also encounter various opportunities in the future. I think it's normal to feel overwhelmed by them or anxious about whether you can do it. However, it's precisely at those times that I think it's good to try with the mindset of diving in and letting yourself do it. I believe experience leads to one's growth, so I think it's a precious thing. Please, do your best.