Key questions and answers from Teruaki Sato, the 9th Triple Crown winner: ``I didn't think about it at all''

On the 8th, infielder Teruaki Sato (27) of the Hanshin Tigers professional baseball team won three major batting titles, becoming the ninth player in history to win the Triple Crown. This season, Sato had a batting average of .36%, 39 home runs, and 106 RBIs.

The main questions and answers are as follows.

--What are your honest feelings now that you've won the Triple Crown?

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported us and our fans.

--First Hanshin player to achieve this feat in 40 years since Randy Barth, and the first Japanese player to achieve this feat.

I really think we were able to bat better than last year, and I'm proud of the fact that we were able to come this far.

--How conscious were you about winning the Triple Crown this season?

No, not really. I didn't think about it at all at first, but I'm glad that I was able to get to this point little by little.

--Which number are you most proud of?

After all, it's the batting average. I've been training on my own to improve that (since last year). I managed to hit over 30%, so I think I was able to improve in that area.

--One more issue until issue 40. I had some good luck today.

Of course I wanted to hit it. I was hoping you would come in. It felt like Koshien again. I had a good swing, so I have no regrets.

--Unlike home runs, which can be accumulated, batting average is difficult to fluctuate.

After my first year, I could imagine hitting 40 (home runs), but I couldn't imagine hitting .300 at all. But, I feel like I was able to really grow by being able to do something like this.

--What was it that you couldn't imagine that you felt was missing?

After all, it's more about reproducibility, or less waves. Even in my first year, I had 59 no-hits at bat. I really couldn't imagine it, but I felt like I was able to really grow.

--The reason why you repeatedly say "accumulation" is because that experience made you realize that.

of course. of course. It's been a good experience.

--What are the technical factors behind improving batting average?

After all, you have to understand your own batting and objectively look at the good and bad points. I think that we are growing year by year.

--In the vast Koshien stadium, he was able to achieve these numbers as a left-handed batter who is easily affected by the wind.

I think that's really valuable, and I'm proud of that number myself.

--You competed for the title with your colleague Shota Morishita.

I was able to do this with great inspiration. I think (its existence) is a big thing. It was good.