March 24th (Thursday) 12:00 Bunshun Online
In 2004, the problem of professional baseball reorganization triggered by the merger of Kintetsu Buffaloes and Orix Blue Wave. As a result, "Rakuten" decided to own the new team, but at that time, "Livedoor", whose representative was Takafumi Horie, was also making a bid for a new entry into the baseball world. Mr. Katsuya Nomura's name was mentioned as a director candidate for Livedoor, but...
Here is an excerpt from the book "Sand Covered Master" (Shinchosha) by Hiroshi Kato, a sports newspaper reporter who has been following the three years when Katsuya Nomura was the director of Shidax. Here is a series of behind-the-scenes exchanges between Mr. Nomura and Livedoor. (See Part 2 of 2 / Part 1)
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"I met you the other day, but please don't write now."
Behind the glasses, Nomura's eyes sharpened. The temptation of the scoop and the relationship of trust with the interviewee. Which should be prioritized?
The seesaw goes up and down violently in my head. I couldn't say "yes" or "no" and just stood there in front of the 69-year-old great general.
The ball world reorganization turmoil continued for turbulent days. Horie, the president of Livedoor, appealed his willingness to enter professional baseball as a "person of the hour". The media followed every move.
Nomura was showing interest in Shidax's entry into the professional scene, but Shida (editorial department note: Shidax chairman [at that time]) was clearly toned down. Even so, as the opportunity to appear on TV increased, the famous general continued to advocate reform of the baseball world as a professional-amateur.
Isn't there an offer from Livedoor in Kantoku?
When I asked that question, it was always answered like this.
"Absolutely not. No one cares about this old man."
However, it was mid-September after the inter-city competition. Luckily, I was the only member of the press when I went to the Kanto-mura ground where Shidax practiced. While chatting, it became the topic of Horie.
The opening words that jumped out at that point were "I met you the other day."
A top-secret meeting between a 69-year-old master director and a 31-year-old ``darling of the era''.
That alone is interesting.
If you report it to the desk, it will definitely "write".
"Nomu-san and Horiemon's secret meeting... The new team Livedoor is listed as the manager. A unique tag team with a 38-year-old difference that clashes with strong personalities is also formed."
The image of the page popped into my mind.
It's enough, it's a topic that can go on one page.
The news war of sports papers over the reorganization of the baseball world was intensifying. Regarding Nomaguchi's career, it was "tied" in three newspapers. I was in a hurry to get one shot.
However, the words "Don't write now" are heavy. It was the first time Nomura had said such a thing. The fact that we can draw out the true intentions of our interviewees is only possible because of the relationship of mutual trust that we have built on a daily basis. I will continue to be in charge. ``Wrapping away'' is not allowed.
But, in the first place, how long is "now"?
I was troubled. In conclusion, I couldn't take a step forward. I didn't have the courage to be hated.
I should have written. Many years have passed since that day, but I still regret it.
Then you have to take a direct hit. to the other party. An interview took place in January 2016.
"I think we talked for about two hours. I'd say he's quite the theoretician in the baseball world. My head is good, isn't it? 'This person is quite old, but it's interesting.'"
Interview via Skype. Through the computer screen, Horie told us the truth about the "secret meeting night".
The discussion with Horie was more exciting than I imagined. He recalled the tumultuous days surrounding the new entry into the baseball world for 40 minutes, much longer than the planned 20 minutes.
To summarize the testimony, the truth of the secret meeting is as follows.
The location is the suite room of the Akasaka Prince Hotel. It was the first meeting, but the conversation was surprisingly lively. From how to create a winning team to the importance of community-based relationships, there was no end to the discussion.
Why did the top-secret meeting come true?
It is said that the instigator was his wife Sachiyo.
Horie said.
"Because there was a unique and tremendous approach. 'Anyway, see my husband.' After that, the chairman of Shidax also came. 'Make Mr. Nomura a professional director again.' and"
I looked back at my coverage notes. Certainly, on September 14th, Shida and Horie made their first contact on a business program on TV Tokyo. If Shita, who was reluctant to enter the professional scene that Nomura wanted, sold "Livedoor Director Nomura" to Horie, it would make sense in terms of timing.
It must have been Shita's best consideration for his sworn friend.
Masaki Nakano, a director of Livedoor Baseball who was present at the meeting, was 26 years old at the time. He told me that he had a vivid impression of Nomura.
"As a manager, I thought he was a person who could build a team with strategic thinking. But Mr. Nomura never said, 'I want to be a director.'" "The next day, I got a call from Sachiyo on my cell phone, saying, "My husband had a great time yesterday. He really wants to be a director. Thank you very much." He was a very kind person.”
In Livedoor, there was a strong opinion that ``If you really want to win from the first year, Nomura will be the commander,'' but the official offer was shelved. Familiarity was emphasized, and the director was unified by Thomas O'Malley, a Hanshin scout in the United States. Horie continued.
"I wanted to go with a fresh image, so it was Mr. Nomura's image. But Mr. Nomura was a motivated man."
Now I know a little more.
At that time, Nomura said, "Don't write now."
Last place for 3 years in a row as Hanshin manager. Due to his wife's scandal, he was forced out of the professional baseball world without his ambition.
I want to compete with a professional coach again. Nomura and Sachiyo were waiting for that chance. The ball world reorganization turmoil that occurred there.
Livedoor or... Now is the time to take a look. It's never a good idea for the world to have the image of "Livedoor, Director Nomura" ahead.
Yes, Nomura was also a tough strategist.
New entry battle between IT companies. The winner was Rakuten, who made a name for himself as a "later out".
Sometimes I remember the glint in my eyes that day. I will definitely wear a professional uniform again. Will it end like this?
There was such an obsession in your eyes.
The regret that I didn't write will never go away.
[Read the first part]
(Hiroshi Kato)