Airtimes:
Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore and Taipei
Wednesday, Sept 23 at 2030
Thursday, Sept 24 at 1130
Saturday, Sept 26 at 1900
Monday, Sept 28 at 0730
Bangkok and Jakarta
Wednesday, Sept 23 at 1930
Thursday, Sept 24 at 1030
Saturday, Sept 26 at 1800
Monday, Sept 28 at 0630
 He's one of the most promising young pitchers in the world of baseball today. At the age of just 23 and in four years as a professional, he has already achieved much including winning the 2009 World Baseball Classic championship and the 2006 Asian Series Most Valuable Player as well as being named in the Japanese national team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In this week's TALK ASIA, Morgan Neill sits down with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters' ace Yu Darvish, hearing about the pressure he faces on and off the pitching mound in a baseball - crazed country. Darvish was sometimes known for a lack of professionalism and aggressive remarks as a high-school baseball player, but now it seems that his attitude has turned around 180 degrees. Asked how he sets himself goals as a pitcher, Darvish says, "No game is perfect. That imperfection gives me my motivation to improve. I won't be satisfied unless I'd win all 25 games in a season." His fast ball reaches 160km per hour, one of the fastest pitches in the world. The right-handed pitcher offers advice to young ballplayers and shows Neill, a big baseball fan himself, how he throws some of his signature pitches. Half-Iranian and half-Japanese, the softly-spoken Darvish also touches upon his life outside baseball including his ethnic background, his childhood and how marriage has benefited his professional life. He comments, "If I am in a tight spot on the mound, I think of my wife and I think how sad she will be if I am batted down." Neill also asks Darvish about his future plans, questioning him about a possible move to play baseball in the United States. Yu Darvish's interview with TALK ASIA will be available online at www.cnn.com/talkasia after the first airing. Airtimes are subject to change. - End- For more information, please visit www.CNNPressroomAsia.com. |
