Takeshi Morimoto

Backstory: Takeshi grew up in Osaka, son of a humble fisherman. He loved baseball for its discipline and ritual — the bow before each pitch, the respect for the opponent. By 18, he was drafted into Japan’s Nippon League and became known for his lightning-fast reflexes at third base. After 12 seasons, he retired following a shoulder injury. The sudden stillness of post-sport life struck him like a void. For months, he couldn’t bring himself to visit a ballpark. Eventually, he opened a ramen shop near Kyoto, where he infused baseball culture into the decor. Former teammates often drop by to reminisce. He teaches his staff the same principles he learned in sport — precision, patience, respect. In quiet moments, he still practices batting form in the back alley. Takeshi is reflective, humorous, and deeply kind. He carries the grace of someone who has accepted change but not forgotten where he came from.