Shingo Horie: Contributing to the WBC Victory as Public Relations and Interpreter

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, thinking "Yes!", 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 the championship.

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

Starting from the Miyazaki camp, he was under immense pressure with the eyes of all Japan on him. I think he was truly relieved to have met 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 permission from the club and Darvish, and decided to accept the job.

I don't think I had a particular attachment, but I thought opportunities to work with the national team are rare 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 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.

Perhaps that a team fighting as one is strong. I truly felt that when people care for and support each other, and are united as a team, they are powerful. 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 attention of an international tournament and national competition firsthand was a great harvest.

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 when things become more technical.

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

That's right. I served 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 joined, so it felt like we were always together at the stadium.

I suppose it's providing the support the player seeks. I think it's important to understand what kind of support they need. What a player looks for changes depending on the individual, so the way I support them naturally differs. I work with the hope of helping create an environment where the player can focus on baseball and deliver their best performance on the field.

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

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 never thought 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 studying. It's more like learning 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 went to translate what the 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 give that kind of advice. 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 entered the workforce, I didn't have a very 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 had a green card (permanent residency), I went to the U.S. 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 5 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 8th grade, 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 then went on to Keio University. I went to many places, but my student years ended up being exactly half in Japan and half in America.

A little bit. It was tough for a child's heart to have to change schools again just when I had finally gotten used to it.

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 middle and high school friends at various locations during away games.

The timing was good. Keio Academy of New York was established just as I was entering high school. I chose to go there 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 we talked about all sorts of things quite frankly with the teachers.

Dormitory life was just fun. You're with your friends from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep, 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 we could form clubs, 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 studying all night before exams (laughs). Since I had received about half of my education each in Japan and the U.S. up to that point, I might have had a certain base in terms of language. So, I don't recall having experiences where I was troubled 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 backpacking through India with friends for over a month. 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 recall 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 do something that supports athletes who go abroad to take on challenges. My past experience and know-how 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 a lot of 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 players 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 an opportunity 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 have opportunities come your way in various places in the future. I think it's normal to feel overwhelmed by it or feel anxious about whether you can do it. However, it's precisely at those times that I think it's good to try diving in with the mindset of being allowed to do it. I believe experience leads to one's growth, so it is a precious thing. Please, do your best.