So Taguchi played in 134 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, but only started in 71 of those contests. Nevertheless, Taguchi made his living by mostly coming off the bench and was hailed by manager Tony LaRussa as a key component of the World Series champions.
Yomiuri outfielder Kenji Yano (center), who hit a game-winning homer in the eighth against the Hokkaido
Nippon Ham Fighters on Monday at Tokyo Dome, smiles along with closer Koji Uehara (left) and shortstop
Tomohiro Nioka after the Giants' 1-0 win.
KYODO PHOTOIt's a model that Yomiuri Giants outfielder Kenji Yano should know well, because he seems to be following it to the letter.
Playing mostly in late-game situations coming off the bench, Yano has provided an undeniable spark and a couple of game-winning home runs as of late for the Central League-leading Giants.
His play has garnered the Tokyo native a cult-like following in recent weeks. On a roster with a full complement of stars it's Yano who's often been receiving the loudest ovation from Giants fans.
"There has always been constant support," Yano said during his "hero" interview after hitting a game-winning, pinch-hit home run in a 1-0 victory over Hokkaido Nippon Ham on June 11. "Even when I wasn't hitting, I was being cheered on, so I have been working hard to be able to give something back to my fans."
What he has given his fans in the past few weeks has been clutch performances, highlighted by the homer that sunk the Fighters and a go-ahead, pinch-hit grand slam that helped ground the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks May 31.
Yano also had a pinch-hit shot in the ninth inning of a loss to Chiba Lotte on June 6.
"It was a great atmosphere and I felt that by hitting the ball into the seats, I was thanking the fans for their constant support," Yano said after the aforementioned win over the Hawks.
"At the beginning there was a time when I wasn't able to play that well, but through it all the supporters have always been there to give me encouragement."
Against the Fighters, who at that point had won 15 of 16, Yano went in hoping to make up for failing to bunt home the tying run in a 3-2 loss the previous night.
"It was already decided that I was going to go to the batter's box (by manager Tatsunori Hara), but I just wanted to go out to the base and be able to create some sort of chance," he told reporters after the game.
He has made the most of his chances so far this season. Yano is batting .333 with four home runs, 12 RBIs and a .357 on-base percentage, playing in just 44 of the Giants' 62 games.
With runners in scoring position, Yano has a .278 average with two home runs and nine RBIs in 18 at-bats. The outfielder is 4-for-8 (.500) with two home runs, two RBIs and four runs scored in the last five games that he has appeared in
Giants fans have taken notice, too, as evidenced by their vocal support when Yano's name is announced late in close games.
In addition to the fans, Hara has also taken notice of his outfielder's heroics. Which is why with Nippon Ham starter Masaru Takeda baffling the Yomiuri lineup through seven shutout innings, Hara didn't think twice about calling Yano's number.
"At that point there was no hesitation," Hara told reporters after that game.
"To make contact on the first ball is hard, but he has the ability to change the atmosphere of a stadium. Hitting home runs is the job of a professional."
Said Yano: "To be a pinch hitter for the Giants and then to be responsible for a sudden upstage and to hit a home run, apparently it has been over 20 years for Coach Hara to see that," Yano said.
He's hoping to provide a lot more excitement for his manager and fans as the season rolls on — maybe even equal Taguchi and help bring the Japan Series title back to the Giants.
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