Tsuyoshi Shinjo of the San Francisco Giants said Friday he is set to start as designated hitter in Saturday's Game 1 of the World Series against the Anaheim Angels.
"How do I feel? The same as always," said a grinning Shinjo, who revealed manager Dusty Baker told him Thursday that he will put him in the starting lineup, making the 30-year-old the first Japanese to play in the World Series.
"You never know what might happen on the day but I'll be going for a homer," Shinjo said. Both Shinjo and Baker did not disclose where in the order Shinjo would bat.
Hideki Irabu was put on the New York Yankees' 25-man World Series roster in 1998 but was kept on the bench.
On Saturday, southpaw Jarrod Washburn, who went 18-6 this season, is scheduled to start for Anaheim. Shinjo batted .238 in the regular season but had a .291 average against left-handed pitchers.
He made just one appearance as a defensive replacement in 10 playoff games, grounding out to short in his only at-bat in the Giants' 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series on Oct. 13.