[Extra Edition] Deciphering Human Nature through Game Theory: Naoya Masuda and Game Theory - Chapter 2: From Rookie of the Year to Guardian Deity. The Invisible Number Called 'Trust'

What is the most difficult thing in the world of professional baseball?

Throwing a fast ball.

Mastering a sharp breaking ball.

Of course, those are necessary too.

However, there is something that holds true value while fighting through a long season.

That is,

"It's okay to entrust this situation to him"

being able to be thought of that way.

In other words, it is trust.

When talking about Naoya Masuda's professional baseball career, the brilliant result of the 2012 Rookie of the Year award cannot be left out.

However, what I really want to focus on is what lies behind those numbers.

Why did a fourth-round draft pick rookie pitcher come to be entrusted with important situations for the team right after the season opener?

Hidden there is the concept of a "repeated game" in game theory.

A world evaluated by accumulation, not just one game

In game theory, there is a concept called a "repeated game."

If it were a competition held only once, one might choose to act in a way that benefits them on the spot.

However, human relationships, work, and the world of sports are different.

There is a game tomorrow as well.

There is a game next week as well.

Next year, you will be fighting with the same teammates again.

That is precisely why, rather than temporary results,

'I can count on this person'

is a trust that holds great value.

The positions of closer and setup man are the very symbols of this.

It does not end just because you held them once.

The next day, another high-pressure situation will arrive.

Yesterday's hero might get hit today.

Even so, the ball is entrusted to them again in the next game.

Through that repetition, true trust is built.

What rookie Naoya Masuda built up

2012.

Naoya Masuda, who joined the Chiba Lotte Marines, made the opening day roster.

Among his peers were first-round draft pick Takahiro Fujioka and Yuhei Chugo.

Amidst them, Masuda gradually earned his role.

His first professional appearance was in the opening game.

In the following day's game, he earned his first professional hold.

And then, he pitched in four consecutive games from the start of the season.

A rookie pitcher continued to be used in situations that determined the team's win or loss.

That was because the manager and coaching staff believed,

'This rookie is worth trusting.'

That is because I judged it so.

It is not just about the results.

The attitude of preparation.

Composure on the mound.

The mental strength not to dwell on failure.

I believe those parts that do not appear in the numbers were what were being evaluated.

The extraordinary figure of 72 games pitched

In his rookie year, Masuda pitched in 72 games.

41 holds.

1 save.

An ERA of 1.67.

He broke the record for most appearances by a rookie and also rewrote the record for most holds by a rookie.

And, Rookie of the Year.

However, it is a bit off to simply dismiss these numbers by saying it was because he had high ability.

It means he was entrusted with the late stages of a game 72 times.

72 times,

"In this situation, we can go with Masuda"

It means he was judged as such by the team.

That is where the true value lies.

In the world of baseball, players are evaluated by numbers such as ERA, number of wins, and number of saves.

However, before those numbers are produced, there is always an invisible number that exists.

That is the number called trust.

And, to becoming the guardian deity

2013.

With the departure of Yasuhiko Yabuta, who had served as the closer until the previous year, Masuda was entrusted with the role of closer.

What is required here is completely different from being a set-up man.

Shutting down one inning in the 8th, and

taking the final three outs in the 9th while carrying the weight of the team's victory are different things.

The responsibility when failing.

The gaze poured upon you from the entire stadium.

The pressure is immeasurable.

However, Masuda accepted that role.

And, 68 games pitched.

33 saves.

He won the title for most saves.

In just two years,

from a rookie pitcher,

to a guardian deity entrusted with the final moments of victory.

This cannot be explained by talent alone.

It was the result of building up trust, one step at a time.

The invisible number called trust

In game theory, the longer a relationship with someone lasts, the more significant 'trust' becomes.

It is not just about short-term success, but about being thought of in this way:

This person keeps their promises.

This person will not run away even in difficult situations.

This person can be entrusted with the task again.

Being thought of in this way,

is exactly what becomes the greatest weapon in a long battle.

Naoya Masuda was not a pitcher who overwhelmed opponents with sheer talent immediately after turning pro.

One pitch at a time.

One game at a time.

By fulfilling each and every role, he gradually increased the number known as trust.

And that number would later lead to,

a massive record of 250 saves that no one can erase.

However, a great trial awaited Naoya Masuda ahead.

The pain of losing the trust he had once earned.

The difficulty of regaining that trust once it is lost.

In the next chapter, I would like to consider the period when Naoya Masuda's true strength was tested.

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