TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. — Making your first Japan Series start against a team with the tradition of the Yomiuri Giants can be a daunting task for even the most veteran of pitchers.

Many of Yomiuri's golden years, however, were before 24-year-old Seibu pitcher Takayuki Kishi was born. So instead of being in awe of the All-Star laden Kyojin, Kishi had other things on his mind during Game 4 on Wednesday night.

"The Giants are the Giants," Kishi joked. "They remind me of home runs. But against the Giants, we get on national television.