One tired Okajima

The following is a transcript of the second of a two-part, pre-recorded interview between Hideki Okajima and Terumi Yoshida of Bunka Hoso AM1134kHz in Tokyo. It aired Tuesday morning in Japan, and was translated by Globe graphic designer Daigo Fujiwara.

Yoshida: What is the biggest difference between Japanese baseball and major league baseball that you felt during the season?

Okajima: In Japan, there are more teams that play "small baseball." Well, obviously there are exceptions, but for example, you rarely see a hitter put on a bunt.

Y: Do you think it suits your playing style?

O: Well, I think it helped me that I played last year [2006] with the Nippon Ham Fighters. In the Pacific League, there are more players who don't play small ball. [Note: Pacific League in Japan employs DH. He played most of his career with Yomiuri Giants, which is a Central League team. That definitely helped me with the transition.

Y: There is a longer travel between the cities, for example, Boston and Los Angeles is like 4,500 km apart. That is a unheard amount of travel in Japan. Was it really bad?

O: That is a long flight. It takes like 4 or 5 hours. On top of that, there is a time difference. I get a headache when I am on the plane, maybe with the air pressure difference, and I usually am dizzy by the time I get off it.

Y: How did you get over it?

O: Get over it? I really didn't. I kept playing as is. I pitched through the headaches and the dizziness. There was nothing I could do. I really hated the time differences.

Y: During the game, I see on the TV that players in the bullpen sometimes munching on some snacks. I heard somewhere that, as a rookie, you were in charge of the snacks. Was there any truth to that?

O: Yes, it is true. It's a rookie's job. Everyone likes snacks, sweets, and gums.

Y: Was it a tough job?

O: Not really, except that there was no time to get those snacks. In Japan there is some time set aside for eating dinner or doing something between the practice and the game. There were only about 30 minute or so in America.

Y: So what do they do? Eat fast?

O: Some don't eat at all. They just snack on something. Most have already eaten before the practice.

Y: So you had to do that, too? Eat before practice?

O: Yes, and I sometimes brought onigiri [Note: Japanese style rice ball] from home, or from a restaurant if it is an away game.

Y: Onigiri! That is the reason for your success. The onigiri power! [laughs]

O: Yes. Onigiri power.[laughs]

Y: During the season, you had only three whole-days off?

O: Yes. There is a game most days. Either that or we are traveling. It's not like Japan where you can expect one day off a week. It is a tiring experience.

Y: You must have been more tired than you were in Japan.

O: Yes. There is no time to recover. I was more tired than anytime in my Japanese career. I was trying to mentally over come it, but it really got to me after the All Star game.

Y: What was the thing that helped you during that time? Sleep?

O: Sleep? Sure, but there were times during the season, I was praying that I wouldn't be called up. Pitching every day was really tough on me. I was hoping for a rest day.

Y: Masumi Kuwata [of Pittsburgh Pirates] was one of your mentors in Yomiuri Giants, and you still train with him every year. What was your feeling when you saw him pitch in the major league for the first time?

O: I was watching on the TV at an away stadium. I was really glad for him. I noticed that number 18 was warming up in the pen, and soon after, he was summoned. I was glad to have witnessed it on the TV.

Y: As for the next season, what is your goal?

O: Of course as a team, the ultimate goal is to repeat. To do that, you need to get to the playoffs, so that would be first goal. Going to the playoffs.

Y: What about your individual accomplishment? Are you aiming to have better stats than this year?

O: No, that is not my goal. I need to keep myself healthy and keep doing what I am capable of. If I try beyond my capability, then I will get injured. If I stay healthy and stick with what I know, I can pitch in more than 50 games and contribute to the team. I am not sure if it is reasonable to aim beyond the year where I was selected as an All Star and won world championship. With one year under my belt, now I am little bit more familiar with what to expect next year. So, I just need to keep up and contribute to the team.

Special thanks to Nobuko Tazoe in Tokyo for recording the interview.