In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Kaima Taira (平良海馬), the Seibu Lions ace closer who has dominated Japanese baseball with a legendary 1.88 career ERA across seven NPB seasons. For the first time ever, Kaima Taira speaks in English!

From his devastating slide step that makes elite hitters look foolish to his ambitious quest to throw 170 km/h (105 MPH), Taira opens up about his journey from a tiny 6-player junior high school team in Okinawa to becoming one of the most feared closers in Japanese baseball.

Key Topics Covered:

• The secret behind his slide step technique that baffles elite hitters
• Why his high school coach's advice changed his entire pitching approach forever
• How he prepares differently as a starter vs closer (spoiler: he doesn't prepare much as a closer)
• The mental game of closing tight games with bases loaded and 40,000 fans screaming
• His devastating pitch arsenal: 100+ MPH fastball, unhittable cutter, and why he switched from splitter to changeup
• Facing Japan's best hitters like Yanagita (SoftBank) and why the Fighters lineup is so dangerous
• His YouTube channel documenting the quest to throw 170 km/h and why that final 10% is nearly impossible
• Life as a new father while still throwing 100+ MPH (spoiler: no sleep, no video games)
• Growing up in Okinawa as a Chiba Lotte fan and watching spring training
• His off-season hobbies: fishing in beautiful Okinawan waters and terrible golf
• Why he'd be a YouTuber if he wasn't a professional baseball player

Whether you're fascinated by elite pitching mechanics or want to understand what separates NPB's best closers from the rest, this episode delivers rare insights from someone operating at the absolute pinnacle of Japanese baseball.

Kaima Taira is the ace pitcher for the Seibu Lions with a career 1.88 ERA across seven NPB seasons, known for his devastating slide step and 100+ MPH fastball while pursuing his goal of throwing 170 km/h.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: 日本の100マイル・クローザーが打てないスライドステップの秘密を明かす

エピソードノート: 西武ライオンズのエース・クローザー平良海馬が、NPB通算防御率1.88という伝説的な成績を誇る投手として、沖縄の6人制高校チームから日本最恐のクローザーまでの軌跡を語ります。

主要トピック:

• 打者を翻弄するスライドステップの秘密
• 先発とクローザーの違い
• 柳田悠岐など日本最高打者との対戦
• 170km/h達成への挑戦
• 新米パパとしての生活

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 10 キーワード: 平良海馬、西武ライオンズ、NPB、クローザー、スライドステップ、100マイル

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 일본의 100마일 마무리 투수가 치기 어려운 슬라이드 스텝의 비밀을 공개

에피소드 노트: 세이부 라이온즈의 에이스 마무리 투수 타이라 카이마가 NPB 통산 평균자책점 1.88이라는 전설적 성적을 자랑하는 투수로서, 오키나와의 6인제 고교팀에서 일본 최강의 마무리 투수까지의 궤적을 들려줍니다.

주요 주제:

• 타자를 농락하는 슬라이드 스텝의 비밀
• 선발과 마무리의 차이점
• 야나기타 유키 등 일본 최고 타자들과의 대결
• 170km/h 달성을 향한 도전
• 신임 아빠로서의 생활

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 10 키워드: 타이라 카이마, 세이부 라이온즈, NPB, 마무리 투수, 슬라이드 스텝, 100마일

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Trey Cabbage, the Tennessee slugger who went from breaking exit velocity records in the minors to demolishing baseballs at the Tokyo Dome for the Yomiuri Giants. From 487-foot home runs to 121.1 mph exit velocity, Cabbage opens up about the mental and technical adjustments needed to succeed in NPB.

"My job is to barrel the baseball and do some damage"

Key Topics Covered:

• Breaking the minor league distance record with a 487-foot home run
• Holding the hardest exit velocity record at 121.1 mph (for three glorious weeks)
• The technical differences in NPB pitching: speed changes vs. raw stuff
• Mental preparation adjustments: from playing scared to playing with swagger
• Cultural immersion: learning Japanese slang vs. textbook language
• Tokyo life with wife Kenzie: seasonings, safety, and daily grocery runs
• Mechanical changes that unlocked his power: getting the barrel behind the baseball
• The art of barrel depth and chasing the baseball with the bat
• Giants teammates who helped with the transition: Chono, Sakamoto, and the pitching staff

Cabbage gets candid about the mental side of international baseball, from dealing with information overload in scouting meetings to the discipline required when preparation routines change. He breaks down why NPB pitchers attack foreign hitters differently, explains the humidity's effect on ball flight, and shares what it's like being married to baseball in the world's biggest city.

Trey Cabbage was drafted by the Minnesota Twins and played in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros before joining the Yomiuri Giants in NPB, where he's become known for his mammoth home runs and 121.1 mph exit velocity record.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: 巨人のパワー：トレイ・キャベッジが語る487フィート弾、NPB適応、東京生活 エピソードノート: 2024年読売ジャイアンツのトレイ・キャベッジが、マイナーリーグでの記録破りから東京ドームでの活躍まで、NPBでの技術的・精神的調整について語ります。487フィート本塁打と121.1マイル/時の打球速度記録保持者が、日本野球への適応と東京での生活を率直に語る。 主要トピック: 487フィート本塁打でマイナーリーグ記録更新 121.1mph打球速度記録（3週間保持） NPB投手の技術的違い：球速差対パワー 精神的準備の調整：恐れから自信へ 文化的適応：教科書的日本語対スラング ファン文化：MLB5人対NPB50人のメディア対応 巨人チームメイトとの関係：長野、坂本らとの交流 Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 8

In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Matt Davidson, who became the KBO's home run king in 2024, launching 46 bombs for the NC Dinos and establishing himself as one of Korea's premier power hitters. Davidson shares his journey from MLB to international baseball stardom across two countries.

Key Topics Covered: ⚾

• Becoming Korea's home run champion

• Adapting to unique Asian pitching styles and different training methods
• The difference between Japanese and Korean baseball cultures and approaches
• Why consistency separates good players from great players at any level
• Life as an international baseball player: motocross, whiskey collecting, and fatherhood
• The mental approach to hitting and building confidence through results
• How family and perspective changed his approach to professional baseball

And more!

Davidson breaks down his time with the Hiroshima Carp in Japan versus his success with the NC Dinos in Korea, explains why timing adjustments are crucial when facing pitchers with longer windups, and shares his philosophy that elite players simply execute more consistently. He offers insights into the international baseball lifestyle and what it takes to succeed overseas.

Whether you're curious about the technical aspects of hitting in different countries or want to understand what separates successful international players from the rest, this episode delivers authentic insights from someone who mastered the art of Pacific baseball.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: ホームラン王：マット・デイビッドソン エピソードノート: 2024年にKBOホームラン王となったマット・デイビッドソンが、NCダイノスで46本塁打を放ち韓国野球界のスーパースターとなった経験を語ります。

主要トピック： トリプルAスタンダウトから韓国ホームラン王への変貌 アジア投手スタイルへの適応と異なる練習方法 日本と韓国の野球文化の違い 一貫性がトップ選手を分ける要因

シーズン番号: 1 エピソード番号: 7 キーワード: マット・デイビッドソン、NCダイノス、KBO、ホームラン王、国際野球

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 홈런왕: 매트 데이비슨 에피소드 노트: 2024년 KBO 홈런왕이 된 매트 데이비슨이 NC 다이노스에서 46홈런을 때려 한국 야구계의 슈퍼스타가 된 경험을 들려줍니다.

주요 주제: 트리플A 스탠드아웃에서 한국 홈런왕으로의 변신 아시아 투수 스타일에의 적응과 다른 훈련 방법 일본과 한국의 야구 문화 차이 일관성이 톱 선수를 가르는 요인

시즌 번호: 1 에피소드 번호: 7 키워드: 매트 데이비슨, NC 다이노스, KBO, 홈런왕, 국제야구

In this episode of Pacific Swings, we dive into your questions in our first-ever Fan Mail episode. David shares stories from his time with the Seibu Lions, revealing the cultural surprises, unforgettable teammates, and incredible experiences that defined his NPB journey. Plus: an unsolicited golf update and why train station food in Japan is better than most American restaurants.

Key Topics Covered:

• Japanese cheering culture vs. MLB crowds - why the coordinated songs and drums hit different

• Life surprises in Japan: train station sushi and David's friendship with Mr. Yamanaka
• Why Japanese players deeply respect MLB veterans who return to NPB
• David's take on potential MLB rule changes coming to Japanese baseball (pitch clocks, ghost runners, bigger bases)
• Facing elite NPB pitching: Miyagi's impossible changeups, Yamamoto's splitters, and why some guys are unhittable
• Defensive role models and rising young talent like Takizawa and Yamamura
• Learning Japanese with teammates: dirt vs. grass conversations with Sosuke Genda

David also breaks down which NPB pitchers gave him the most trouble, shares his defensive limitations compared to Genda's wizardry, and explains why he thinks baseball ties are stupid.

Whether you're curious about the cultural differences between Japanese and American baseball or want to understand what it's really like adjusting to life overseas, this episode delivers authentic insights from someone who lived it firsthand.

🇯🇵

日本語: エピソードタイトル: ファンレター：電車駅の寿司と日本の応援文化 エピソードノート: デイビッド・マッキノンが西武ライオンズでの経験について語る初のファンメールエピソード。日本の応援文化、電車駅での生活、エリート投手との対戦など、ファンからの質問に答えます。

主要トピック： 日本とMLBの応援文化の違い 日本での生活の驚き：電車駅の寿司と文化 NPBの高レベルな投手陣との対戦 源田壮亮などの守備職人との経験

シーズン番号: 1 エピソード番号: 6 キーワード: ファンメール、西武ライオンズ、NPB、日本野球、応援文化、電車駅、寿司

🇰🇷

한국어: 에피소드 제목: 팬메일: 기차역 스시와 일본 응원 문화 에피소드 노트: 데이비드 맥키넌이 세이부 라이온즈에서의 경험에 대해 이야기하는 첫 번째 팬메일 에피소드. 일본 응원 문화, 기차역 생활, 엘리트 투수들과의 대결 등 팬들의 질문에 답합니다.

주요 주제: 일본과 MLB 응원 문화의 차이점 일본 생활의 놀라운 점들 NPB 고수준 투수진과의 대결 겐다 소스케 등 수비 장인들과의 경험

시즌 번호: 1 에피소드 번호: 6 키워드: 팬메일, 세이부 라이온즈, NPB, 일본 야구, 응원 문화

#PacificSwings #FanMail #NPB #JapaneseBaseball #SeibuLions #TrainStationSushi #JapaneseCheering #BaseballCulture #NPBPitching #Miyagi #Yamamoto #Genda #TokyoLife #BaseballPodcast #QandA #JapanLife #CulturalDifferences #MLBvsNPB #ElitePitching #DefensiveWizardry #BaseballStories #ProfessionalBaseball #AsianBaseball #TokyoTrains #JapaneseFood #BaseballFans #응원문화 #일본야구 #NPB #세이부라이온즈 #야구팟캐스트 #팬메일 #기차역스시 #야구문화 #プロ野球 #西武ライオンズ #応援文化 #電車駅 #寿司 #野球ポッドキャスト #ファンメール #日本野球

In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede, who made history in 2023 as the first non-Japanese pitcher in his first year to start Opening Day for the Yomiuri Giants. Known as the Yankees of Japan, the Giants demand excellence at every level - from mandatory designer suits to elite performance on the mound.

Key Topics Covered:

⚾ Making Opening Day history and the electric atmosphere of Tokyo Dome

- The Giants' Yankees-like culture: designer suits, clean-shaven faces, and first-class treatment

- The pressure of playing for Japan's most famous team and immediate expectations to dominate

- How Japanese hitters' unique approach with foul balls and contact hitting changes everything

- Why the talent gap between NPB and MLB is smaller than most people think

And more!

Tyler also breaks down his memorable matchup against David MacKinnon with bases loaded, discusses watching elite teammates like Sakamoto and Sugano, and explains why playing for the Giants is unlike any other baseball experience in the world.

Whether you're curious about the pressure of playing for Japanese baseball royalty or want to understand what separates the Giants from every other NPB team, this episode delivers authentic insights from someone who lived the Giants Standard firsthand.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: ジャイアンツ・スタンダード：タイラー・ビーディー エピソードノート: 右腕投手タイラー・ビーディーが2023年に読売ジャイアンツで外国人投手として初年度開幕投手を務めた歴史的体験を語ります。日本のヤンキースと呼ばれるジャイアンツの高い基準と文化について深く掘り下げます。 主要トピック： 開幕戦の歴史的瞬間と東京ドームの興奮 ジャイアンツのヤンキース的文化とプロ意識 日本人打者のユニークなアプローチ 坂本勇人、菅野智之などエリート選手との経験 ファンサポートと日本野球文化 シーズン番号: 1 エピソード番号: 5 キーワード: タイラー・ビーディー、読売ジャイアンツ、NPB、開幕投手、日本野球、東京ドーム

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 자이언츠 스탠다드: 타일러 비디 에피소드 노트: 우완 투수 타일러 비디가 2023년 요미우리 자이언츠에서 외국인 투수로는 첫 해에 개막전 선발투수를 맡은 역사적 경험을 들려줍니다. 일본의 양키스라 불리는 자이언츠의 높은 기준과 문화에 대해 깊이 탐구합니다. 주요 주제: 개막전의 역사적 순간과 도쿄돔의 열기 자이언츠의 양키스적 문화와 프로정신 일본 타자들의 독특한 접근법 사카모토 하야토, 스가노 토모유키 등 엘리트 선수들과의 경험 팬 서포트와 일본 야구 문화 시즌 번호: 1 에피소드 번호: 5 키워드: 타일러 비디, 요미우리 자이언츠, NPB, 개막 투수, 일본 야구, 도쿄돔

In this RAKEDOWN episode, David MacKinnon breaks down Japan's June MVPs Sandro Fabian and Ryōma Nishikawa - two hitters absolutely raking that most baseball fans have never heard of.

On Fabian: "His plate coverage is unbelievable... he's able to catch that ball out front, which most guys can't do."

From Fabian's grand slam celebrations to Nishikawa's 1,000th career hit milestone, this is why these NPB stars deserve your attention.

Featuring swing breakdowns you won't find anywhere else, the foreign hitter adjustment period, and why Japanese baseball develops contact skills differently than MLB.

On Nishikawa: "His barrel is so close to his body as he's coming... and then, boom, his hands just release the barrel out front. It's just super impressive swing."

The plate coverage secrets, two-strike approaches, and hitting philosophies that separate NPB success from failure.

IN THIS EPISODE:

✓ Sandro Fabian's incredible plate coverage breakdown

✓ Why most hitters can't pull outside pitches for power

✓ Ryōma Nishikawa's elite contact mechanics revealed

✓ The foreign hitter adjustment period reality

✓ What MLB can learn from Japanese hitting approaches

✓ Why NPB celebrates differently than American baseball

🇯🇵 Japanese:

6月のNPB MVPサンドロ・ファビアンと西川遼馬の打撃分析。なぜこの二人が注目されるべきか。

🇰🇷 Korean:

6월 NPB MVP 산드로 파비안과 니시카와 료마의 타격 분석. 왜 이 두 선수가 주목받아야 하는지.

🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO PACIFIC SWINGS:

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1823861137

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UCDEcXxHD-y3trCj3IS05SQg

All Platforms: www.pacificswings.com

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🎯 Follow Pacific Swings | www.pacificswings.com

ありがとう and 감사합니다 ⚾

David MacKinnon reveals his comprehensive preparation strategy for Japanese baseball: watch Mr. Baseball, Google some teams, and wing it.

From Tom Selleck's 1992 masterpiece to the reality of all-dirt spring training fields, this is what actually happens when preparation meets Japanese baseball. Featuring David's Mr. Baseball moments, the Seibu Lions' daily preparation emails, and why foreign players will never be asked to bunt.

"My research was I Googled stuff... but nothing prepares you for how they play."

"I'm guilty of watching Mr. Baseball and thinking I was going to be fully prepared for what's to come. But it did definitely prepare me for some things that I would not have been prepared for."

The lifestyle changes, train transfers, and teammate revelations that no movie could prepare you for.

IN THIS EPISODE:

✓ David's "research" method: Google + Mr. Baseball = prepared?

✓ The 24-hour signing chaos that changed everything

✓ Mr. Baseball moments vs. Japanese baseball reality

✓ All-dirt training fields and team warmups Tom Selleck missed

✓ Why the lifestyle change is harder than the baseball change

✓ What David wishes he'd known before crossing the Pacific

🇯🇵 Japanese: デビッドの日本野球準備方法：グーグル検索とミスター・ベースボール鑑賞。現実との違いについて。

🇰🇷 Korean: 데이비드의 일본 야구 준비 방법: 구글 검색과 미스터 베이스볼 시청. 현실과의 차이에 대해.

🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO PACIFIC SWINGS:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4uWEae1fRtay7PHjeFoWGn?si=e3049e98b0134c97 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1823861137

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UCDEcXxHD-y3trCj3IS05SQg

All Platforms: www.pacificswings.com

📱 FOLLOW US:

X: www.X.com/PacificSwings

Instagram: www.instagram.com/PacificSwings 🎯

Follow Pacific Swings | www.pacificswings.com ありがとう and 감사합니다 ⚾