Former Hiroshima Carp Star Yoshihiko Takahashi on the Club’s Crisis: “If I Were a Player, I’d Think This Is Great News”
October 17, 2026
Former Hiroshima Carp star Yoshihiko Takahashi believes the departure of four key players and the possibility of further losses through free agency could create valuable opportunities for younger players. Rather than dwelling on the club's difficulties, he argues that the remaining players must change their mindset and work harder to earn regular roles.
Yoshihiko Takahashi, 69, a former Hiroshima Carp star who won the Central League stolen base title three times and experienced four league championships with the club, has shared his views on the difficult situation facing his former team.
The Carp have released four key players, including Kaito Kozono and Masaya Yano, following off-field issues. They also face uncertainty over the futures of players who have qualified for free agency, including Masato Morishita, Hiroki Tokoda, and Shogo Sakakura.
Despite the team's troubles, Takahashi sees the situation as an opportunity for the players who remain.
“If I were a player, I'd think this was great news. I'd be thinking, ‘Yes! They're leaving!’ The regulars are gone,” he said.
What matters, Takahashi explained, is whether players simply see those departures as losses or recognize that they now have a chance to earn starting roles through hard work.
“That determines how much they train,” he said.
The departure of several established players could be particularly significant for younger members of the roster, opening the door to more playing time and greater responsibility.
Takahashi challenged them directly: “Are they training themselves to the limit to win a regular spot?”
He also argued that genuine commitment cannot be measured by what players say about their work ethic. It has to be demonstrated consistently.
“Other people are the ones who decide whether you're putting in an incredible amount of work. The guys who say, ‘I'm working hard,’ often aren't. If you're constantly training, people will notice. There really are players who only work hard when the coaches or manager are watching.”
In Takahashi's view, what Hiroshima needs most right now is a change in the players' mentality.
“The first step may not be changing the team itself, but changing the players' mindset. That's especially true for the Carp. If more players start saying, ‘No, I'm not done yet—I want to keep training!’ even when they're told to stop, things can change.”
His message is clear: the departures of established players do not have to leave the Carp weaker. For the younger players, they represent an opportunity—but only those willing to put in the work will be able to take advantage of it.