Seibu’s first-round draft rookie, Natsuki Takeuchi (22), was named the team’s MVP in May, the fastest rookie in the team’s history, and has yet to lose in his first eight games since his debut, with a record of 4 wins and 0 losses, and an ERA of 1.26.
This golden rookie has been the subject of much discussion for his resemblance to the popular character Bowser Jr. Fans have given him the thumbs up, saying things like, “He looks just like him,” “His eyebrows are raised,” “The area around his eyes,” “His facial contours are similar,” and “Natsuhi is Bowser Jr.”
When we asked Takeuchi himself, he smiled shyly and said, “I already know what people are saying (laughs).” He said that it all started when one day, his senior on the team, Mitsunari Takahashi (27), suddenly said to him, “You look like Bowser Jr.” He seemed to like it, saying, “When I compared it with a photo, I realized that it certainly does look like Bowser Jr. I’d like to get the word out.”
According to the official website introducing the character, Bowser Jr.’s personality is that of a “mischievous boy who likes to play pranks.” He said he would “like to resemble” that character’s image, and that when it comes to pitching, “I’m going to be bold.”
On the 26th, the game against the Nippon Ham Fighters was held at the Prefectural Omiya Baseball Stadium for the second time this year. The left-handed pitcher, who had just recovered from his coronavirus infection, said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a local baseball stadium, but the scenery will change, so I’m really looking forward to it,” and was looking forward to his return to the first team for the first time in about a month.
“In a word, I want to win! I want to pitch to win,” he said, but in the middle of the eighth inning, he threw 109 pitches and gave up two runs. The game ended in a draw, and his fifth win was put on hold. But his unbeaten streak continues. Expectations are high for his pitching in the next game.
■ Natsuki Takeuchi
Born July 21, 2001. 186 cm, 90 kg. Left-handed batter and pitcher. Born in Yahata Nishi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. After attending Fukuoka Prefectural Yahata Minami High School and Kokugakuin University, he joined the Seibu Lions as the first draft pick. On April 3, he won his first professional game.
Source: Japanese