Shogo Akiyama discusses his first day with the Cincinnati Reds at spring training, swinging and missing at his first pitch in batting practice. Cincinnati Enquirer
GOODYEAR, Arizona – As the Cincinnati Reds conducted their first full-squad workout in spring training Tuesday, the team’s outfielders met in the outfield and coach Jeff Pickler ended it with a word in Japanese to Shogo Akiyama.
“Arigatu014dgozaimashita (u3042u308au304cu3068u3046u3054u3056u3044u307eu3057u305f),” said Pickler, which translates to “thank you” in Japanese.
The 31-year-old Akiyama admitted he was a little nervous, but he thought it was a good thing. Scott Schebler played catch with him after the team’s stretching and conditioning.