On December 17, 2025, the Yomiuri Giants officially announced that catcher Yoshinori Kishida has been appointed the 21st captain in franchise history.
The news immediately sparked intense discussion on X (formerly Twitter). While many fans welcomed the decision with optimism and praise, others expressed concerns over catcher usage, team balance, and manager Shinnosuke Abe’s decision-making.
In this article, we break down real fan reactions by category and analyze why Abe chose to revive the captain system, drawing on recent team history.
Fan Reactions on X｜How Is Kishida’s Captaincy Being Received?
✅ Mostly Positive: Trust Earned Through Perseverance
The dominant sentiment has been support and approval, particularly from fans who value Kishida’s steady rise and resilience over recent seasons.
Common reactions included:
- “A catcher who played 87 games deserves this. The experience matters.”
- “The atmosphere feels positive for the first time in a while.”
- “Among Giants position players, only Kishida and Naoki Yoshikawa feel like true core guys.”
- “Being captain doesn’t mean he should get special treatment. Competition is healthy.”
- “A catcher as captain always tightens up the team.”
Many fans described Kishida as a late bloomer, a player who endured setbacks and was finally rewarded.
This season, despite losing early playing time after Takuya Kai’s arrival, Kishida reclaimed a starting role midseason and delivered strong performances on both offense and defense. His previous selection for Samurai Japan also reinforced the perception that he carries natural leadership credibility.
⚠️ Critical & Concerned Voices｜Catcher Logjam and Fairness Questions
That said, skepticism hasn’t been absent.
Some of the more critical takes included:
- “Isn’t it too soon to name him captain after just one strong season?”
- “Choosing Kishida over Ohshiro looks like favoritism.”
- “What happens now to Kai, Ohshiro, and Kobayashi?”
- “I want to be happy, but he plays the same position as my favorite catcher…”
Much of the pushback comes from Taisei Ohshiro supporters, as well as fans worried that the already complex catcher rotation could become even more politically charged.
A recurring concern is whether “captain = guaranteed playing time,” which clashes with Abe’s stated emphasis on internal competition.
⚖️ Neutral, Results-First Opinions
A third group has taken a calm, wait-and-see approach:
- “Based on this season, Kishida is a logical choice.”
- “If he leads the team to a championship, that’s all that matters.”
- “Captain or not, results decide everything.”
Given the timing, fan sentiment remains fluid, but the discussion itself has been notably active and engaged.
Shinnosuke Abe and the Captain System｜Why Bring It Back Now?
2024: Deliberately Abolishing the Captaincy
In his first year as manager, Abe abolished the captain system altogether.
- His message: “I want everyone to act like a captain.”
- Kazuma Okamoto, the 20th captain, was relieved of the burden
- Result: Central League championship
The success of that season left a strong impression that “no captain worked.”
2025: Why the Captaincy Returns
This year told a different story.
- Regular season: 3rd place
- Postseason: Eliminated in the Climax Series
Reflecting on the disappointment, Abe adjusted his stance:
- “The team needs a central figure for player-to-player communication.”
- “A captain helps unify the group.”
That led to the selection of Kishida, a catcher—just as Abe himself was from 2007 to 2014.
As the defensive cornerstone and a bridge between the bench and the field, a catcher fits Abe’s leadership philosophy perfectly. In many ways, this decision feels unmistakably “Abe-like.”
Final Thoughts｜Divided Opinions, Shared Expectations
Fan opinions on Yoshinori Kishida’s captaincy may be split, but the underlying hope is universal:
- Fans want to see a changed Giants team
- They want a group that wins together and stays united
Serving as captain while competing for the starting catcher role is no easy task. Precisely because of that, 2026 will be a defining season for Kishida—one that will test his leadership, resilience, and true value to the Giants.
コメント