Right-hander Tiago Da Silva had a busy season. He pitched in the Mexican Baseball League (LMB) for Durango Generales, appeared in the Italian Baseball League playoffs with San Marino and helped La Guaira Tiburones win the Venezuelan Winter League.
"I was on the Caracas Leones roster last year. We won, but I missed the last part of the season because of an injury. What happened this year is unforgettable. Fans in Venezuela are incredible; they are very close, and there's a lot of adrenaline flowing. After we won, we had a parade in La Guaira, and the number of fans participating impressed me. I believe it was at least 150,000 people. People of all ages. It was wonderful."
How can you go through so much baseball without any rest?
"I had some rest between the end of the Italian season and the start of the Venezuelan league. Of course, my mind and my body need some rest. My arm, in particular."
Da Silva was born in 1985 in Brazil. He entered the Yakult Swallows Academy as a 15-year-old. He tried out for the Seibu Lions and the Nippon Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
"I had a very short stay. What I remember the most is how cold it was in Hokkaido. There was snow in the streets."
Da Silva fully developed in Italy. After playing in the second division, he debuted for San Marino in the Italian Baseball League in 2008. He became a citizen after marriage and made the National Team for the 2009 World Cup. He later would establish himself as the top starter in the league.
Tiago will be one of six players representing Italy on Team Europe's roster at the Global Baseball Games, CARNEXT SAMURAI JAPAN SERIES, on 6 and 7 March in Osaka, Japan. The others are pitchers Matteo Bocchi and Luis Lugo, catcher Alberto Mineo and infielders Alex Liddi and Ricardo Paolini. Italy had six players on the roster also for the inaugural edition. The list included right-hander Alessandro Maestri, who is back as the pitching coach.
Da Silva converted into a reliever.
"In Mexico, they have used me as a starter and reliever for the last three years. In the Venezuelan league, I pitch out of the bullpen. I like it because it's 64 games, and I can pitch almost every day as a reliever. I can also give the team better pitching quality, one inning at a time. You face stronger hitting in Venezuela."
Looking at your wind-up, people can spot the Japanese school of pitching.
"Let's say my mechanics is a mix. Baseball in Brazil has strong ties with Japan. I entered the Yakult Swallows Academy as a 15-year-old and learned how to pitch from Japanese instructors. My motion included framing, like a lot of Japanese pitchers. After the Academy, I met Cuban instructor Orlando Santana. He showed me videos of El Duque Hernandez and José Contreras. I greatly liked how El Duque brought his knee close to his face during wind-up."
How do you feel about this Team Europe experience?
"It's great playing for Marco [Mazzieri] again. Pitching for him and Italy at the 2013 World Baseball Classic was a turning point in my career. I moved from Italy to Mexico and Venezuela. I'm grateful to Marco and everybody involved with the Italian National Team at the time."
He added: "I can't wait to play in Osaka and face Samurai Japan. I will see a lot of players I faced at the European Championship. We know each other well."
What could be effective against Samurai Japan's lineup?
"The way they swing the bat, the most effective pitches would be breaking balls or off-speed pitches. Japanese hitters have very flat swings. In North and Latin America, you see more golf-like big swings. I would say sinkers and breaking balls could be the most effective pitches."
Are you ready to pitch in both games?
"You bet I am! If Marco wants me to, I'll be ready to contribute both days."
