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The Mainichi
Vocabulary:
- debut /dey-BYOO/
[verb] to perform or be introduced to the public for the first time
The South Korean boyband, Day6, debuted on September 7, 2015.
- gain the palm /geyn the pahm/
[idiom] to win or get victory
The coach was very happy because the team gained the palm this season.
- disclose /dih-SKLOHZ/
[verb] to give information to the public that was not previously known
The board of director disclosed the anomalies inside the company.
- awe-inspiring /AW-in-spahyuh r-ing/
[adjective] causing you to feel great respect or admiration
The mountain summit in Sagada is an awe-inspiring sight.
- hail /heyl/
[verb] to publicly praise or show approval for a person or an achievement
Catriona Grey, a Filipino-Australian, was hailed as Miss Universe 2018.
On May 21, 2019, former Boston Red Sox league pitcher Koji Uehara held a press conference in Tokyo, Japan about his retirement. Uehara is a Japanese professional baseball player under the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NBP). The 44-year old right-handed pitcher debuted in 1999 with the Giants and reunited with the team in 2018. He gained the palm in the World Series title when he played for Boston Red Sox in 2013. Uehara said, “I want to end my 21-year baseball career today. There is a part of me that wants to play on, but I decided from the beginning of the season that this is my last.” He also disclosed that he did not succeed in giving his best foot forward this season. Uehara chose to wrap up his Major League Baseball career with 95 saves and a 2.66 earned run average (ERA).
Koji Uehara became closer’s rookie of the year in 1999 and received Japan’s most awe-inspiring starting pitcher award, the Sawamura Award, with a record of 20 wins. In a span of 10 years, he has achieved a total of 112 wins, 33 saves, and a .301 ERA before he turned to be a free agent in the US in 2009. Uehara signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers in 2009 and 2011, respectively. He also pitched for Boston Red Sox where he was hailed as the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player in 2013 with 21 saves and 1.09 ERA. He was also with the Chicago Cubs in 2017 and returned to the Yomiuri Giants a year after. Uehara also competed in two Olympic Games, securing a bronze medal in 2004 and 4th place in 2008.
True or False:
- Koji Uehara is a Major League Baseball catcher.
- Uehara signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox in 2003.
- Baltimore Orioles is Uehara’s team in 2011.
- Uehara decided to finish his baseball career with 21 saves and 1.09 ERA.
- ERA stands for “early running average”.
Discussion Questions:
- What did Uehara mean when he said that he did not succeed in giving his best foot forward?
- If you were Koji Uehara, when will be the best time for you to give up sport as a profession and why?
- In your opinion, what are the factors that cause athletes to retire from sports?
- Do you think playing sports as a career is advisable? Why or why not?
- Who do you think is the most famous baseball player in Japan? Please specify and describe him or her.
Express Your Opinion:
- “You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying. To the best you can do everyday.” ― Jason Mraz
- “You get old faster when you think about retirement.” ― Toba Beta
- “Baseball has so much history and tradition. You can respect it, or you can exploit it for profit, but it’s still being made all over the place, all the time.” ― Michael Lewis
※レッスン教材に関するアンケートのお願い
[verb] to perform or be introduced to the public for the first time
The South Korean boyband, Day6, debuted on September 7, 2015.
[idiom] to win or get victory
The coach was very happy because the team gained the palm this season.
[verb] to give information to the public that was not previously known
The board of director disclosed the anomalies inside the company.
[adjective] causing you to feel great respect or admiration
The mountain summit in Sagada is an awe-inspiring sight.
[verb] to publicly praise or show approval for a person or an achievement
Catriona Grey, a Filipino-Australian, was hailed as Miss Universe 2018.
Koji Uehara became closer’s rookie of the year in 1999 and received Japan’s most awe-inspiring starting pitcher award, the Sawamura Award, with a record of 20 wins. In a span of 10 years, he has achieved a total of 112 wins, 33 saves, and a .301 ERA before he turned to be a free agent in the US in 2009. Uehara signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers in 2009 and 2011, respectively. He also pitched for Boston Red Sox where he was hailed as the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player in 2013 with 21 saves and 1.09 ERA. He was also with the Chicago Cubs in 2017 and returned to the Yomiuri Giants a year after. Uehara also competed in two Olympic Games, securing a bronze medal in 2004 and 4th place in 2008.