RP Scott Mathieson (Aldergrove, BC), left and his long-time battery mate C Shinnosuke Abe, two mainstays of the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants.

Nov. 3, 2019

The Durable Battery

By Gaku Tashiro

Sankei Sports

Tokyo Yomiuri Giants reliever Scott Mathieson, 35, who pitched 421 games with 54 saves and 174 holds since 2012, held a press conference at the team office in Tokyo on Oct. 25. Mathieson announced his retirement after eight seasons with the Giants,

“Seven years ago when I debuted in Tokyo Dome, I still can’t forget the cheering of Giants fans,” said Mathieson (Aldergrove, BC). “I would like to express my gratitude to fans and teammates. By playing in Japan, I was able to recognize my love for baseball again. I don’t think I’m a talented player. I’ve done a lot of effort, and I think it’s important to keep doing that. “

Mathieson had repeated right elbow surgeries and suffered from “Ericiasis” in December last year.

While he has retired from pitching for the Giants, Mathieson, 35, will be available for manager Ernie Whitt as Canada competes in the 2019 WBSC Premier12 Nov. 2-17. The 12-nation event has Canada in Group C at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. Canada opens Wednesday against Cuba.

Shinnosuke Abe, 40, who also retired after this season, made a surprise appearance at the Mathieson’s retirement. Abe, one of best catchers in Japanese ball, hit 406 home runs and was the captain of the Giants and cleanup hitter for most of his career.

Mathieson and Abe were the last-up battery in the game that won the Central League title in 2014.

After a question-and-answer session, when Mathieson opened the door to lift of the venue, Abe, who was waiting in the back, hid his face with a bouquet and appeared. Mathieson was blushing and moved.

Abe said, “I want you come back to the Giants and get involved in something with us. Thank you very much.”

Mathieson replied, “Thank you, Mr. Abe. Because of you, I have been able to pitch in Japan for many years.”

At Abe’s retirement conference on Sept. 25, Mathieson appeared with his teammates and gave him with a bouquet.

“Because I was surprised, I tried to do the same for Mathieson,” Abe said with smile.

In Abe’s final game of regular season against DeNA Bay Stars at Tokyo Dome on Sept. 27, Abe, who was a catcher for one inning only, nominated Mathieson as a starting pitcher. Abe wanted Mathieson to be the last pitcher he caught. It was the first time Mathieson had started the game for the Giants. He had not started since 2011 with triple Lehigh Valley part of the Philadelphia Phillies system. Mathieson, whose father Doug Mathieson runs the successful Langley Blaze along with Jamie Bodaly was part of Canada’s best draft class in 2002 when he was drafted in the 17th round by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Gaku was one of the three scorers assigned to the 2013 World Series. He’s in the middle with Mike Shalin (Boston) on the left) and Hall of Fame scribe Rick Hummell (St. Louis) on the right in the spacious Fenway Park press box.

Mathieson and Abe revered each other so much, they retired in the same year as the battery.

While he has retired from pitching for the Giants, Mathieson, 35, will be available for manager Ernie Whitt as Canada competes in the 2019 WBSC Premier12 Nov. 2-17. The 12-nation event has Canada in Group C at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. Canada opens Wednesday against Cuba.

Gaku Tashiro’s first year covering major league ball was in 2001 when OF Ichiro Suzuki joined the Seattle Mariners, and in the spring of 2003 he moved to Florida to cover OF Hideki Matsui and the New York Yankees, which made Gaku a regular visitor to the Rogers Centre.

The respected Gaku was among the first from Japan to receive a Baseball Writers of America Association card and Hall of Fame voting privileges. The 2013 season was his final year before returning home to become an editor. Before departing he was after he wrote about the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, he Fergie Jenkins museum in St. Catharinnes, Ont. and all things Canadian including the Blue Jays.

Mathieson, Abe formed Yomiuri Giants ever-ready battery