Shohei discusses going to the Postseason for the First Time in his MLB career September 27, 2024

This press conference happened after a thrilling 7-2 Division clinching win for the Dodgers. It is Shohei's first guarantee of October Baseball and he got a key RBI late in the game to add the victory. This scrum is asking about his feelings about the game, playoffs, nervousness in big moments, and the significance of beating the Padres.

The blue responses are our direct translation of Shohei's answers and the

Analyst Notes

are our commentary on the interpretation of Shohei's responses. Finally, we finish with a grade of the interpreter.

1st reporter [English]: For you, just tell us what it feels like going to the playoffs?

Will [Japanese]: プレーオフに向けてすごく気持ちが高ぶっていると思いますけども、正直な気持ちをお願いします。

Will [Japanese Translation]: I imagine you're really excited heading into the playoffs—could you share your honest feelings?

Shohei [Japanese]: 本当に今日決めるんだという気持ちで球場に来ましたし その通りになってすごく嬉しいです。

[Translation]: I came to the ballpark wanting to get it done today, and I’m really happy that it worked out that way.

2nd Reporter [English]: This is your first… Sorry.

Will [English] : I'm really happy. Today I came to the stadium really wanting to clinch and I'm glad that we were able to do that today.

[Analyst Note] Shohei’s answer was obviously a little more definitive.

2nd Reporter [English]: This is your first playoffs. What are the emotions like the way that you played this series, it was all fight till the end. What does it feel like for you to be a part of this with this Dodgers team? A reason why you came here to be a winner?

Will [Japanese]: 今シリーズすごくファイトを見せた感情が高ぶるような戦いでしたけども、ドジャーズに来た理由という一つの要因でしたか？

Will [Japanese]: This series was very emotional and full of fight, and it’s one of the reasons you came to the Dodgers correct?

Shohei [Japanese]: そうですね. ま、ここで勝つことが目標ではあったので、その中で、シーズンの中でも本当に重要なシリーズですし、そこに向けての意気込みて言うのはね、他のシーリズよりも高かったしゃないかなと思います。

[Translation]: Yes… winning here was the goal, and this was an especially important series within the season. I think my level of motivation for this one was higher than for others.

Will [English]: This series was something special. It was something that really stood out throughout the year, obviously. To be able to clinch it is the reason why I'm here.

3rd Reporter [English]: Shohei, you got an experience of being in the clubhouse, popping the champagne and partying. What was that like for you?

Will [Japanese]: シャンパンファイトはどうでしたか?

Will [Japanese]: How was the champagne fight?

Shohei [Japanese]: 最高ですね。あとまだまだ何回もできるように。今シーズンもまだまだあるので頑張りたいなと思います。

[Translation]: It was amazing. And I hope we can do it many more times. There’s still a lot left in this season, so I want to keep going.

Will [English]: It was an awesome feeling and I'm hoping to continue being able to pop more champagne.

[Analyst Note] I don’t like it when the interpreter doesn’t frame the whole question of the reporter like saying the experience of the clubhouse. It is one of the shortcomings of having such a low ranked interpreter.

4th Reporter [English]: Shohei, how did it feel to clinch at home? How did it feel? And what were the emotions with that crowd tonight?

Will [Japanese]: 本拠地でクリンチできたていうところで何か特別な思いはありますか?

Will [Japanese]: Was there anything especially meaningful about clinching at home?

Shohei [Japanese]: 僕らよりも僕らももちろん特別ですし、ファンの人が何より特別じゃないかなと思う。そういう瞬間をホームで迎えることができてファンにとっても、僕たちにとっても本当に最高だったと思います。

[Translation]: Of course it was special for us, but I think it was even more special for the fans. Being able to experience that moment at home made it truly great for both them and us.

Will [English]: You know for us players and also for the fans, I think it was a special moment.

5th Reporter [English]: Shohei, you didn't wear any goggles tonight. Did you get a lot of champagne in your eyes?

Will [Japanese]: ゴーグルをつけていないのでいっぱいシャンパンが目に入りましたかね？

Shohei [Japanese]: そうですね。ちょっと痛かったですけど、はい ま、今後に影響がないぐらいにやりました。

Shohei [Japanese]: Yes, it hurts a little but I don’t think it will be a bad influence from here on out.

Will [English]: It stung a little bit in my eyes but hopefully it's not too you know it wouldn't cause too much of a damage.

6th Reporter [English]: Shohei, it seems like you have gotten better down the stretch. It seems like you're getting better down the stretch to close out the regular season. Are there any lessons that you can take from this run and bring with you to the postseason?

Will [Japanese]: レギュラーシーズンを終えるところで好調を維持しているんですけども、何か… 特別な習い事というか学べたことはありませんか？

Will [Translation]: You’ve been maintaining good form closing out the regular season—have you learned anything in particular?

Analyst Note: Will says maintaining good form rather than emphasizing getting better or improvement towards the end of the season.

Shohei [Japanese]: 打ち方はどうのこうのというよりは 気持ちの打席が多かったかなと思うのでそういう意味ではより集中して試合に臨めたのかなと思います。

[Translation]: Rather than focusing on the hitting form the at bats felt very emotional so I just focused really hard on the game and attacked the game with that intent.

Will [English]: Rather than focusing on the mechanics of my swing, I felt like the environment really elevated my performance and that was something that allowed me to be focused throughout my whole at bat.

7th Reporter [English]: What were you feeling? What were you thinking when you came up to bat in the seventh inning?

Will [Japanese]: 7回打席に回った時にどういう感じをどういう考えで打席に立ったんですか?

Will [Translation]: What were you thinking when you at bat came around in the 7th?

Shohei [Japanese]: 本当にヒットを打つことだけ考えて 本当に他の打席でやることは変えずに本当は自分の打席に集中しようと思いました。

[Translation]: I just focused on getting a hit and didn`t think about any of my other at bats.

Will [English]: You know, just really focused on having a quality at bat to get a base hit.

Analyst Note: Shohei’s answer is much simpler and direct.

8th Reporter [English]: Do you get nervous at all in those kinds of instances?

Will [Japanese]: そういう状況で緊張するところがありますか？

Will [Translation]: Do you get nervous in those instances?

Shohei [Japanese]: うーんどうですか?集中しすぎてあんまり緊張してるとかどうのこうのというのを考える感じではなかったかな。

[Translation]: Hm, I don't know. Not focused too hard or got too nervous. Just kind of didn't have time to feel nervous.

Will [English]: I felt like I was really so focused. I didn't really have the opportunity to feel nervous.

9th Reporter [English]: Does it make a difference doing it against the Padres?.

Will [Japanese]: パドレスにくだして何か特別な気持ちはありますか？

Will [Translation]: Taking down the Padres is a special feeling?

Shohei [Japanese]: ま、もちろん地区のライバルですし、強いし素晴らしいチームなのでそういうチームの相手に今日みたいな試合ができたというのは何より大きいと思います。本当に全員で勝ち取った勝利かなと思います。

[Translation]: Yeah, definitely they are a divisional rival, a strong and great team. Playing an important game like that against that kind of opponent is very big. It is definitely a team win.

Will [English]: They are our division rival and very good team. Played really well throughout the whole series and I'm glad that we were able to play really well against a very tough opponent.

Analyst Note: Will forgets to add the team win part.

Interpreter Final Grade: C Lacking conviction and emotion. Regular Will performance.