If his introductory press conference is any indication, it will not take long for Kodai Senga to be beloved by New York Mets fans.
It all began with one simple question. Joe Pantorno from AmNY.com asked Senga who he was most looking forward to facing. The answer? “The Phillies lineup.”
Kodai Senga already making fans with New York Mets
Let’s face it – that was a nice, easy softball of a question. It was the type of question where Senga could have mentioned one of the better players in the division, giving soft platitudes about wanting to face off against someone he watched from afar.
But that is not Senga. Instead, he mentioned the Phillies, the defending National League champions and a team whose lineup could be considered one of the best in the league. He clearly cannot wait to attack those hitters, going after the best that the game has to offer.
That should be something that fires up the Mets and their fanbase. Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer are true aces, pitchers whose actions and results on the mound speak louder than anything they actually say. Senga had been an ace in Japan, posting numbers that Verlander and Scherzer would be proud of, but is a complete wild card stateside.
The one thing that is not in question is his confidence. Senga believes that he is not just one of the best pitchers on the planet, but that he will prove it once the 2023 season begins. Part of doing so involves facing the best there is, and in this case, that would be the Phillies. If he can back his words up, he will be beloved in New York.
Kodai Senga has yet to throw a pitch for the New York Mets. However, if his introductory press conference is any indication, he is already making fans.