A table display in remembrance of Shinji Mori was put up at MetLife Dome |
The Japanese media spoke to several people who were teammates or coaches of Mori. Here is what they had to say:
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Chiba Lotte Marines manager Tsutomu Ito: "I was so worried about him, but I never thought it would come to this. We won lots of games together as players. I had many memories with him. [He was gone] too soon and I am in total shock. May his soul rest in peace."
Ito was a battery partner with Mori from 1997-2003 as a player. He would also become the manager overseeing Mori from 2004-2005.
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Chunichi Dragons manager Shigekazu Mori: "He was just 42. He was my pitcher and I gave him my number (11) as a player. The last time we met here [in Nagoya] during the interleague play, he said 'he will do his best'. I still can't believe it is real. I hope Lions will enter the Climax Series (let alone the Japan Series) and Tsuji will manage the team well for his sake."
Shigekazu Mori was a Lions coach and saw Shinji Mori from 1997-1999.
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Chunichi Dragons hitting coach Masahiro Doi: "He was kind and a very nice person. He looked good when I met him during the interleague series [against the Lions]."
Doi coached the Lions for two stints and saw Mori from 1997-1999 and 2004-2005.
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Chunichi Dragons infield defense coach Hiroshi Narahara: "He was sincerely committed and he devoted himself to baseball. We lost such a valuable asset. It is painful [to know he is gone]."
Narahara was teammates with Mori as a player in 1997. He was also with the Lions staff alongside Mori from 2015-2016.
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Daisuke Matsuzaka: "I still can't believe it. It doesn't feel like t's real. He was so nice and took care of me just like a brother. It is so hard for me to accept the fact [that he is dead]. It is too painful for me."
Matsuzaka was teammates with Mori on the Lions pitching staff from 1999-2005. He is currently with the Softbank Hawks.
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Special thanks to @Pino_Martinez for translation help and Nikkan / Other media outlets for speaking to others.
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