Takaoji Miyaide Reflects on Rakuten Career: Trade Brought Wider Network and Enriched Baseball Life

Takaoji Miyaide recalled his time with the Rakuten Eagles following his trade, describing how the move initially felt difficult but ultimately enriched his baseball career. In his second game on April 4th against the Nippon Ham Fighters, Miyaide recorded his first hit and RBI while batting eighth in right field, contributing to the Eagles' opening-day winning streak. On July 14th against the Saitama Seibu Lions, he delivered a dramatic go-ahead home run in the ninth inning with two outs and a runner on second, his first home run in two years and first as an Eagle, earning him his inaugural hero interview with the team.

Miyaide fondly recalled a moment with legendary manager Nomura Katsuya, who had jokingly criticized his hitting before the game. "Before the game, Nomu-san reportedly told reporters 'Miyaide doesn't hit at all,' but after the game he said 'I take that back,'" Miyaide recounted with amusement, referring to the manager's characteristic grumbling style.

Beyond statistics, Miyaide emphasized the personal growth his trade brought. He explained that moving to Rakuten exposed him to different organizational systems, employment structures, and baseball philosophies from his previous team. During his two seasons in Sendai, living in a hotel while building new relationships with teammates, Miyaide developed an extensive network across the baseball world. "When you get traded, the best thing is meeting different people and expanding your network," he reflected. "Players can only play for a certain number of years, but when you stay in baseball as a coach or manager, having connections throughout the industry is invaluable."

Miyaide stressed that observing and learning from other clubs' methods provided insights he could not have gained otherwise. "There are so many things you can't understand unless you look outside your own organization. In every aspect, it became a plus for me. My baseball life became richer," he concluded.