Otani Shohei.

(File photo, USA Today)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] The Japanese team will strive to regain glory in the 5th World Baseball Classic next year. The Japanese team supervisor Hideki Kuriyama once again mentioned the combat plan.

Hideki Kuriyama was a guest on the TBS program today, and mentioned the next year's captain of the Samurai team. He said that he originally wanted to appoint a captain, but he felt that the players didn't seem to have to have a captain. "This is a very mature team."

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The Japanese team completed two consecutive victories in the classics in 2006 and 2009. The captain at that time was the now-retired legendary Suzuki Ichiro. This time, the team will lead the team to fight for the No. triple crown.

As for what role Shohei Otani will play?

Director Kuriyama said that if there are enough starters, it is not ruled out that Otani will be the finisher, and the sequence is "anything from 1 to 9 sticks is possible."

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