An 8-hour good night’s sleep is enough. Or is it? For the Blue Jays’ starter, Yusei Kikuchi it is not. In Tuesday’s game against the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays emerged victorious with a big 7-1. However, there was a slight hiccup due to which the Jays’ starting pitcher had to leave the game midway.
Though his unplanned departure during the game did not have a major effect, it was concerning to see him cramping and leave. In sports cramps are common, but what is uncommon is Kikuchi’s cause for the cramp and the fact that the Unicorn also had a similar situation.
A Surprising Routine
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Yusei pitched 5 innings and gave up 1 run, 7 strikeouts with 1 walk. Though he pitched well, his game in the Bronx was interrupted calling for medical attention. After the game though, the Morioka(Iwate)-born revealed that the reason for the cramps was insufficient sleep. He said that he only got 11 hours of sleep as opposed to his usual 13-14 hours. Dropping some jaws he went on to reveal that he went to bed by 11 pm and woke up by 1 pm. Now that’s one heck of a sleep schedule, but don’t be surprised!
#BlueJays starter Yusei Kikuchi thinks he’ll be fine for his next start after he left the game with cramps. The biggest revelation was that he said it may have been caused by only getting 11 (!) hours of sleep last night instead of his usual 13 or 14 hours (!!)
— Kaitlyn McGrath (@kaitlyncmcgrath) September 20, 2023
Two-way phenom, Shohei Ohtani who hails from Oshu, also in Iwate has a similar sleep schedule. With a 12-hour sleep routine he too experienced cramps this season. Both hailing from cities only 42 miles apart, one wonders. Is this an Iwate thing?
With the Toronto Blue Jays at 84-67, they have found themselves in the thick of the American League postseason pursuit. Amidst a nail-biting competition, this slumber surprise has woken the fans up.
Fans Are In Awe Of This Revelation
Fans all over poured their opinions and perceptions of this strange discovery.
Sulking about lack of sleep while seeing professional baseball players overdoing it a fan said, “ might not even get 14 hours of sleep over the next two days.”
After my 4 am wake up today, I might not even get 14 hours of sleep over the next two days.
— Kaitlyn McGrath (@kaitlyncmcgrath) September 20, 2023
Amid other fan reactions, sarcasm found its way in. “how precious”
14 hours per night for the lil guy, how precious
Kikuchi kuchi koo 👶🍼— Rick M (@PARSlist) September 20, 2023
Drawing similarities to Sho-time is impossible to ignore. One fan made an observation, “both of them experienced cramps this season…”
I remember Shohei sleeps for 12 hours a day, both of them experienced cramps this season…
— 紀春生 (@ji_chunsheng) September 20, 2023
Some fans mocked him, calling him a “teenager”
He’s a teenager.
— Andrew Benjamin (@AndrewBenjamins) September 20, 2023
A fan went to the extent of joking about him taking a break from sleep to play baseball.
Today I learned Yusei Kikuchi is in a coma and occasionally wakes up to play baseball
— Chris H (@the_manekin) September 20, 2023
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Read More : High School Rival Leaves Shohei Ohtani Tasting Dust After the Baltimore Orioles Clinch Playoffs
The ridicule continues as people wonder what the people of Iwate sleep like. It is uncommon? Or is it just how some baseball players prefer their routine to be?
Watch This Story : Shohei Ohtani’s Season Ends Abruptly Following Devastating Injury, Leaving Fans in Mourning
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