I wasn't that serious about it. My Gen Z comment was supposed to be a joke mocking everything involved. (Cuz I dont think Japan even has a "Gen Z" equivalent to the USA lol. Yeah I over-thought that one. My bad) But what definitely happened was people overwhelming disliked Imai's reasonings. And even optimistic people had suspicion of him having "arm fatigue". Imai and the team might have been right, but it brought on bad PR. Can't change that very recent history But the main thing is it seems to be course correcting, thankfully (And maybe even the PR approach itself is an adjustment of different culture styles, that everyone is learning from). Easily all forgettable when it's no-hitting & dealing
People hate it when athletes say generic nonsense and they hate it when they speak openly. What you really want is just for athletes to say what you want to hear.
That's interesting especially with the club and statcast thinking he also throws a sinker when he said he doesn't. Whatever he throws, it's pretty wicked when he has his command.
I saw it, or more accurately, his translator, but it was on my phone while we were watching the world's most boring soccer match.
Tigers announcers were blown away by his slider: "“It’s a pitch with its own personality. It’s got multiple personalities." “It’s 3 different pitches. All with the same name. Like George Foreman’s kids.”
You see my post back in May? If not we’re more like baseball then I originally thought….two separate Sybil” references in a 35 day period after nearly 28yrs of this boards existence, or maybe it’s just the era and our age….yes that’s it.
What makes the most sense is to separate Imai's slider into three different pitches. That would stop the nonsense of saying that Imai only has two pitches. Now if Imai thinks that he is throwing a slider but has no idea how that pitch is going to break until it does so ... BTW I am racking my brain but I can't recall another pitcher who throws one pitch with some much variance.
