The day after the match with Waseda University, the Waseda Jitsugyo players came to the field for recovery training as per tradition.
Short-term high-frequency, high-intensity matches bring not only physical fatigue but also immense psychological pressure — in today's training, quite a few players appeared listless, clearly not in the right state.
Returning Suzuki Kensuke's pitch, Tsuchiya Ryota then promptly collapsed on the field, lying flat on his back, looking unconscious.
Five high-intensity sudden-death matches in twelve days, if pitchers can still rotate on the field, then as the main catcher of the team, Tsuchiya Ryota is definitely the most stressed and exhausted one among all Waseda Jitsugyo members:
As a catcher, not only does he have to adjust his pitch strategy according to different pitcher configurations, but he also has to stay highly focused observing the situation on the field, allowing no room for error;
In addition, as the team's fifth batter, Tsuchiya Ryota also needs to perform power hitting duties to help the team score.
Just as he was about to complain to his teammates, Izumi Minoru the coach hurriedly walked into the field, blowing the whistle for gathering: "Everyone, gather!!!"
Seeing Tsuchiya Ryota lying on the ground nearby, Izumi Minoru shouted to him irritably: "Tsuchiya, get up quickly! Lying lazy on the ground, what does that look like!"
After the whole baseball team had gathered, Izumi Minoru cleared his throat and began:
"As everyone knows, tomorrow is the final of the West Tokyo Conference — and today, we have an old OB from our Waseda Jitsugyo Baseball Club visiting our school who wants to share some baseball experiences with everyone, giving encouragement for tomorrow's game."
Upon hearing this, a burst of murmuring discussion erupted among the crowd:
"Old OB? Who is it? Could it be seniors Akune and Hiragumi who graduated the year before?"
"Are you silly? If it were these seniors, what's with Izumi Minoru acting so formal? I bet it's some famous senior coming!"
"Ah, I got it, it's probably Handkerchief Prince, right? After all, after graduating high school, he chose not to go directly to play pro baseball but opted to further study at Waseda University, and now happens to be free; plus, I heard he's participating in the draft after graduating this year, and might share some experiences with us…"
"Indeed, I also think senior Saito is most likely… Ah… It's the Handkerchief Prince! Finally get to meet him! After the Summer甲 final that year, in order to buy the same handkerchief towel as him, I scoured the whole Tokyo…"
"Cough cough cough!" Izumi Minoru symbolically coughed to interrupt the players' discussion: "Everyone quiet down first — the old OB has arrived, let's welcome him with applause!"
As the applause rang out, an elderly man looking around 70 years old, with a head full of silver hair yet still energetic, walked into the field — upon confirming the identity of the visitor, the entire Waseda Jitsugyo training field instantly boiled over, everyone gazing with disbelief at the smiling elder greeting them, exclaiming in unison:
"Ehhhhh?? Wang… Wang, Wang, Wang… Wang San??!!!"
Who is Wang Zhenzhi (Oh Sadaharu)?
If you asked any Japanese person who knows baseball this question, they would surely look at you with the strangest, most incredulous expression.
In the history of baseball, and even the entire sports world, if there are those who can bear the name "legend," Wang Zhenzhi must be one of them.
As a baseball player, his career boasts 868 home runs, making him the home run king of the world; Yomiuri Giants' number 1 jersey is permanently retired in his honor;
In the 1960s-70s, he and another legendary player Nagashima Shigeo formed the "ON Combo," sweeping across Japan's professional baseball, establishing the unrivaled "Giant Dynasty."
And as a coach, he replicated the brilliance of his player career: after retiring, he first took on the role of assistant manager for the Yomiuri Giants, helping the team win Japan's Number One in 1981;
He then became the manager of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (SoftBank Hawks' predecessor), transforming a professional baseball underdog into a champion team twice over;
He later served as the manager of Japan's national baseball team, overcoming the adverse scenario of being double defeated in the qualifiers by rival Korea Team and clinching the 2006 World Baseball Classic championship in a manner least expected.
Even in baseball techniques, his "One-legged Strike Method" brought about technical innovation: with this peculiar crane-style batting, he hit over 30 home runs for multiple consecutive seasons, stealing the spotlight.
Such a living legend in Japanese and world baseball is precisely a renowned alumnus of Waseda Industrial School — during high school, he also served as both pitcher and batter, leading Waseda Jitsugyo to clinch the first Koshien championship for high schools in the Kantou Region.
Seeing such a legend in person, the Waseda Jitsugyo members couldn't conceal their inner excitement — one by one, they stepped forward, bowing humbly to shake the hand of this Waseda Jitsugyo old OB.
Normally impetuous Tsuchiya Ryota raised his hand high and placed it in front, exclaiming:
"Ah! I can't bear to wash my hand! Shaking hands with 'the King of the World'! Really feels like a dream—"
No one expressed any dissent to his words; on the contrary, even the usually most poised Suzuki Kensuke was nodding in agreement with Tsuchiya Ryota's view.
While reflecting, Tsuchiya Ryota suddenly had a flash of insight:
"Hey, what do you all think, since I shook hands with Wang San today, does it mean I can hit a home run tomorrow? After all, it's shaking hands with the world home run king, might get some luck, don't you think?"
He was met with nodding heads from his teammates.
When Lin Guanglai shook those hands, he could clearly feel the thick calluses on those rough hands — marks left by countless days of swinging the bat.
"Lin Guanglai, correct?"
Lin Guanglai looked up, facing the direction of the voice — it was Wang Zhenzhi speaking.
Not daring to show the slightest negligence, Lin Guanglai quickly responded: "Yes, sir."
"I watched your performance in the previous matches — very impressive! Your pitching skill is high, and your batting shows significant progress too…"
Gently patting Lin Guanglai's shoulder as encouragement, Wang Zhenzhi motivated: "Hope to see further growth from you in the future."
Returning to the team, Lin Guanglai found the seniors were all looking at him with a peculiar gaze:
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
The straightforward Tsuchiya Ryota was the first to speak, slightly jealous, he said:
"Ahhhh— I'm so envious! Why did Wang San single you out for praise, Guanglai? Is it that being handsome not only attracts girls but also the old seniors can't resist?"
His words elicited a burst of laughter around him.
After the fan meeting session ended, Wang Zhenzhi standing at the front did not give a lengthy speech;
He simply did as Izumi Minoru said — today he was purely as an old OB to cheer for the Waseda Jitsugyo members:
"I watched some of the previous matches, great performance, whether it's the demeanor on the field or the level displayed."
"As an old OB, I will also be present at the final tomorrow."
"Here's sincerely wishing that while enjoying the game, everyone secures the ticket to Koshien, spending this summer without regrets."