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Hisanori Takahashi, the renowned left-handed pitcher who played for the Yomiuri Giants and Major League Baseball (New York Mets and others).

Drawing from years of facing intense pressure on the mound, he shares his philosophy on mastering the 'mind' to achieve consistent results.

This book is packed with life lessons for baseball fans, business professionals, and anyone struggling with interpersonal relationships.

Photo by: Takahashi Manami

Known during his playing days for his cheerful personality, Takahashi was recognized as a versatile left-hander who relied on a wide array of breaking balls, precise control, and intelligent pitching strategy. He excelled in multiple roles—starting pitcher, middle reliever, and closer.

In high school, he played in the Koshien tournament. As a corporate league player with Toshiba, he won the Urban Corporate Baseball Championship. With the Giants, he contributed as a key pitcher to a Japan Series championship, before crossing the ocean to play in Major League Baseball.

Behind these achievements lies the 'mental control' he reveals in this book.

Publicly perceived as a 'cheerful joker' or 'innocent natural talent,' Takahashi carried within him a disciplined mindset—calmly assessing his abilities, accepting his role within the team, and consistently preparing his mind before stepping onto the mound.

In baseball, 'control' refers to a pitcher's ability to throw the ball exactly where intended. In this book, Takahashi redefines 'control' as 'the ability to master one's inner self.' He unpacks how he confronted emotions like tension, anxiety, and pressure, transforming them into performance—illustrated through vivid anecdotes from his playing career.

◆ Thought patterns and mental resilience: Techniques for controlling your mind under pressure

◆ Adapting to new environments and communication: Real-life experiences navigating vastly different cultures—from the Giants to MLB

◆ Approaching career transitions and personal roles: Self-awareness insights applicable to the next stages of life

Keywords such as 'mental health,' 'second careers,' and 'organizational adaptability' are gaining significant attention across business, education, and sports.

In this era of constant change, Takahashi's insights—forged in the high-stakes, competitive world of professional sports—offer compelling, real-world examples for features and programs exploring these themes.

[Table of Contents]

[Author Profile]

Hisanori Takahashi (born April 2, 1975, in Sumida Ward, Tokyo). Graduated from Shudoku High School and Komazawa University. Joined Toshiba's corporate baseball team in 1998, where he served as ace and contributed to winning the 1999 Urban Corporate Baseball Championship. Drafted first overall by the Yomiuri Giants in the same year, he recorded 9 wins in his rookie season, helping the team win the league title and Japan Series. He developed into a key left-handed pitcher, winning the Best ERA award in 2007. In 2010, after signing a minor league contract with the New York Mets, he was promoted to the majors just before opening day, recording 10 wins and 8 saves in his debut MLB season. He later played under the Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and Colorado Rockies organizations, before returning to Nippon Professional Baseball in 2014, joining the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. He retired at the end of the 2015 season. Currently based in Los Angeles, he works as a commentator for MLB and NPB games and shares the joy of baseball through YouTube and other platforms.

[Book Overview]

Title: 'Mental Control'

Author: Hisanori Takahashi

Format: B6 size, 244 pages

Price: ¥1,760 (tax included)

Release Date: July 27, 2026 (Monday)

ISBN: 978-4-416-52609-5

Purchase the book here

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