Starting pitcher's uniform number 57 → 15 change, it's August, and the manager suggested it?

Aug 06, 2025

Starting pitcher's uniform number 57 → 15 change, it's August, and the manager suggested it?
Nihonham right-hander Kitayama joined in 2022 and used his uniform number 57 before changing to 15 on the 4th. It is said that Shinjo asked about his intention ahead of the All-Star Game. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS



Starting pitcher's uniform number 57 → 15 change, it's August, and the manager suggested it?
Coach Shinjo posted his salary honor on Instagram on the 5th and wrote that he was fighting well. Softbank, the No. 1 player in the Pacific League, is second overall, and Nippon Ham, the No. 2 player without a ride, is 10th. Director Shinjo said, "I wish I could be in third place three years later." Photo capture = Director Tsuyoshi Shinjo on SNS
Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Koki Kitayama (26) suddenly changed his uniform number. He joined the No. 8 draft pick in 2022 and threw in a '57' uniform before replacing him with '15'. In some cases, a nurturing player is converted to a formal player during the season and receives a new uniform number, but it is a very unusual replacement for a main player. The announcement was made late in the season, which is fiercely competing with the SoftBank Hawks.

Nippon Ham coach Tsuyoshi Shinjo (53) appears here. It is said that he asked Kitayama about his intention ahead of the All-Star Game in July. After hearing Kitayama's positive answer, I asked a club official to proceed. The player must have been embarrassed by the coach's sudden birth of his back number. Kitayama, who came to training in his new uniform, said "I don't know because I can't see the number in person."

Shinjo humorously explained why he changed his uniform number on the 5th. He said "Kitayama had an ERA of '1.57' and didn't seem to need a back seven," he said with a smile. I wanted to give a uniform number suitable for the main pitcher. I would have liked to give you a new motivation. In his first year in office, Shinjo discovered and appointed Rookie Kitayama. He was in the second-tier camp and called him a first-team starter that year. It was a series of drastic changes.




Nippon Ham has the strongest pitching power in the Pacific League. As of the 5th, he ranks first in the Pacific League with a 2.28 ERA and second overall after the Hanshin Tigers (2.00) in the Central League. Eight starting pitchers are doing their part well. He has 20 complete throws, the most by 12 clubs.

Starting pitcher's uniform number 57 → 15 change, it's August, and the manager suggested it?
Kitayama training in uniform number 15. Photo capture = Sports Nippon Homepage
As Kitayama changed his jersey number, the number of key starting pitchers continued. Takayuki Kato (7 wins and 4 losses) is No. 14, Kitayama (6 wins and 3 losses) is No. 15, Tatsu Gota (6 wins and 1 loss) is No. 16, Hiromi Ito (11-5) is No. 17, and Sachiya Yamasaki (5 wins and 4 losses) is No. 18.

Shinjo said, "(The number) must be numbered first. I like number one the most." Outfielder Shinjo entered the Major League through Hanshin and played for three years. When he returned to Japan, he joined Nippon Ham, not Hanshin, and added '1'. He picked No. 1 when he took the helm of the Nippon Ham in 2022.




Number 15 is the number used by Naoyuki Uwasa (31). Wausawa, who was the main starter for Nippon Ham, went to the Major League after the 2023 season. He signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays through the posting system. The posting fee was only $6250, but the club supported the challenge and allowed the transfer.

Usawa pitched in two major league games for the Boston Red Sox. In July of that year, he returned to Japan after being notified of his release. He greeted Shinjo back home and practiced at the Nippon Ham training facility. He also participated in the Nippon Ham club event.

Of course, I thought I would return to Nippon Ham, but I signed an FA contract with Softbank. Softbank, a rich team, caught Usawa in '4 years-1 billion yen'. Regulation says there is no problem
Starting pitcher's uniform number 57 → 15 change, it's August, and the manager suggested it?
The pitching of Nippon Ham's main starter Kitayama. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS
Even so, beyond regret, the Nippon Ham club felt betrayed.

Director Shinjo criticized Usawa in an unusual way. In the wake of Uwasa and the case, it was said that the regulations should be revised. Earlier, Kohei Arihara (33) started at Nippon Ham and went to Softbank through the Major League. Still, Arihara spent two years in the U.S. and chose SoftBank. Two pitchers from Nippon Ham are the main players of the Softbank starting lineup this season.

On the 5th, coach Shinjo posted an average salary ranking table for players from 12 clubs on his Instagram account. Softbank recorded 69.56 million yen, ranking second after the Yomiuri Giants (78 million yen). Nippon Ham ranked 10th overall with 40.62 million yen. Director Shinjo said 'He's fighting well in the rankings now. I hope to be in third place in three years."

Nippon Ham, which had been in the lead, recently ranked second after being caught by Softbank. Softbank has come up scary from the interleague. 5일 니혼햄이 세이부
Starting pitcher's uniform number 57 → 15 change, it's August, and the manager suggested it?
Kitayama has pitched in 14 games this season and has pitched four complete games. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS
The first- and second-place wins disappeared after winning against the Lions and Softbank lost to Chiba Lotte Marines. Last year, Softbank ranked first and Nippon Ham ranked second.



Reporter Min Chang-ki huelva@sportschosun.com



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.