早実主将、歴史的本塁打の真相

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■夏の甲子園優勝時の主将・後藤貴司氏、世紀の一戦を振り返る

The 2006 Summer Koshien saw Waseda Jitsugyo High School (West Tokyo), led by ace pitcher Yuki Saito, claim their first championship by Defeating Komazawa University Tomakomai High School (South Hokkaido), which was aiming for a third consecutive victory with Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (Giants). The intense final match, which went to a rematch after a 15-inning tie, is remembered as a legendary contest in high school baseball history.

投手の主役は青いタオルハンカチを使用して“ハンカチ王子フィーバー”を巻き起こした斎藤。野手の中心は「4番・遊撃」を務め、主将としてチームをけん引した後藤貴司氏だった。

Mr. Goto also played for Waseda University and Nippon Paper Ishinomaki, retiring from active play after his third year in industrial league baseball. He is currently employed by a major foreign-affiliated life insurance company. Next year marks 20 years since his Koshien championship. Before reaching this milestone, he reflected on the summer that captivated Japan.

The championship game was a tense pitchers' duel. For seven innings, neither team managed to score, with zeros on the scoreboard for both. Komadai Tomakomai broke the deadlock first. They scored one run in the eighth inning, shattering the tie. In the bottom of the eighth, Waseda Jitsugyo's Kojiro Higaki hit a double with one out. A bobble in the opponent's relay allowed him to advance to third base.

そこで打席が回ってきたのが4番の後藤氏。

「三塁まで行ってくれてラッキーだと思いました。心理的に外野フライ、犠牲フライでOK。割と冷静に打席に入りました」

同年ドラフトの目玉で相手の絶対的エース、田中将大の外角直球を捉え、中堅右のフェンス際まではじき返した。

準決勝で右中間に先制3ランを放っていた主砲の、もう少しでフェンスオーバーかと思わせる中犠飛。

People often tell me, "I thought that hit ball went into the stands!" But from my perspective, the moment I hit it, I knew it wouldn't go in. I just grazed it a little. However, I knew it would be a sacrifice fly, so the instant I struck it, I thought, "Yes!"

試合を振り出しに戻し、歴史的な一戦を演出したのである。

その後は斎藤、田中の両右腕が譲らず1-1で延長15回引き分け。翌日の再試合でも後藤氏は結果的に大きな意味を持つ4点目の左前適時打を放ち、4-3で勝利を収めた。

9回2死、最後は斎藤が田中を空振り三振に仕留めてゲームセット。

「『最後は2人のエース対決で終わるんだ』と思うと震えました。全ての感情があふれ出た瞬間でしたね」

第1回大会にも出場した伝統校が、88回目の夏の甲子園で悲願の初優勝を果たしたのだった。

■大きかった反響、コンビニに垂れ幕「180度変わった」

「斎藤という絶対的なエースがいて、野手もその思いに応えるように一球一球集中して守り抜いた。守りの安定があったからこそ、攻撃でも自分たちの力を存分に出せました」

日本中を興奮させた一戦は、その後の生活に変化をもたらしたという。

The response was tremendous. When I returned to my hometown, neighbors came to visit, and there was a banner at the local convenience store that read, "Congratulations to Takasi Goto on your victory!" I was spoken to on my way to school, and it felt like my life had completely changed 180 degrees from before.

フィーバーはしばらく続いた。

After enrolling at Waseda University, Goto also joined the baseball club. There were times when he was close to becoming a regular player. Following his graduation, he joined Nippon Paper Industries and played for the industrial league team Nippon Paper Industries Ishinomaki for three years before retiring from his playing career. He then changed jobs and, at the age of 37, is currently employed by a major foreign-affiliated life insurance company.

After analyzing his playing days with the goal of becoming a professional baseball player, Mr. Goto reflected, "As a player, I felt I was decent at hitting, fielding, and running, but I don't think I had anything outstanding." Although he didn't reach his professional aspirations, the experience of captaining a traditional school remains valuable to him today.

I believe I've developed significant resilience in how I handle pressure. While captains tend to be overestimated, there are things I can't do, so it's crucial to consistently perform what I am capable of. I've learned to shift my perspective and approach challenges from various angles. In that regard, I'm glad I served as captain.

野球から離れている現在も「あの夏のことは、甲子園シーズンになると思い出します」という。強烈なインパクトを残した日本一。その戦いぶりは、今も高校野球ファンの脳裏に刻まれている。

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