2023世界棒球經典賽決戰，日本以3：2擊敗強敵美國奪得本屆冠軍，其中日本大谷翔平（Shohei Ohtani）在場上的驚人表現，更榮獲賽會MVP，撼動全世界的球迷。這位效力於美國職業棒球大聯盟天使隊的年輕球員，是現代職棒中罕見的投打雙修選手，因此也被稱為「二刀流」（two-way player）。
once-in-a-century 百年一見
Ohtani is a once-in-a-century player in a year when we need to be awed, inspired and distracted. Comparing him to the Babe is no longer enough.
Photo: AFP 照片：法新社
（大谷是個百年一見的球員，尤其是在我們需要嘆服、激發和轉移注意的一年。將他與貝比相提並論已經不夠了。）
知名體育雜誌《運動畫刊》（Sports Illustrated）的評論者用once-in-a-century、in a year we need to be awed, inspired and distracted來描述大谷，顯示全球目前對於大谷評價之高。
大谷翔平在棒球方面的功績與戰略，也替他帶來巨額的附加經濟效益。本次就以《富比士》（Forbes）雜誌的分析，來認識三個在TOEIC測驗財務金融情境中高頻率出現的詞彙。
1. endorsement 代言
The first “two-way” All-Star in baseball history, Ohtani is a hit with marketers on two continents, with a league-best endorsement portfolio. Is he willing to capitalize?
（身為美國職棒大聯盟明星賽史上第一位「二刀流」球員，大谷擁有聯盟最佳的代言組合，受到兩大洲行銷者的歡迎。他願意善用這機會嗎？）
動詞endorse，原意即指「公開支持或贊同」，所以明星或運動員公開支持某品牌或產品時，就是「代言」之意，但請勿與sponsor (v)「贊助」混為一談。
YouTube influencer endorsements have emerged in the digital age.
（YouTube 網紅代言已在數位時代崛起。）
因為此字含有以自己名譽、信譽、影響力作為擔保表示「支持、背書」，在政治或商務會議情境中也常使用。除此之外，我們在支票或正式文件背面簽名的動作，亦用此字。
The mayor is expected to endorse the committee’s proposals.
（市長預計將同意委員會的提議。）
The president doesn’t seem to endorse the manager’s views.
（總裁似乎並不贊同經理的觀點。）
You must endorse the check first, so that we can deposit it in your account.
（您必須先簽支票，如此我們才可以將其存入您的帳戶。）
2. portfolio（投資）組合
portfolio的複數為portfolios，本身為「資料夾、文件夾」之意。生活中最常看到的意思為「作品集」，記錄學生或創作者過往的作品及經驗，在申請學校、求職（job hunting）中，也常提到這個單字。portfolio可搭配不同性質作品使用，如 design portfolio（設計作品集）、career portfolio（職業檔案）等。
A complete career portfolio can serve as proof of one’s skills, abilities and potential.
（一個完整的職涯檔案可作為個人技能、能力和潛力的證明。）
A source tells “Forbes” that in addition to seeking out partnerships that don’t eat up too much time, Ohtani has shown a sense of loyalty that has helped shape his portfolio.
（一位消息人士告訴《富比士》，除了尋找不會佔用太多時間的合作夥伴外，大谷還表現出忠誠感，這有助於塑造他的投資組合。）
《富比士》所用的 endorsement portfolio代表「組合、集合」的意思。也有些雙關語的用法，不僅為代言夥伴的組合，同時也有其個人在理財規畫上的「投資組合」。
The stockbroker suggested changing my investment portfolio immediately to maximize the return on the investment.
（股票經紀人建議立即改變我的投資組合，將投資報酬最佳化。）
3. capitalize 利用
《富比士》分析的最後一句「Is he willing to capitalize?」也是很高招的使用方式。capitalize從金融用法中capital (n)「資本、資金」衍生而來，表示「核定…的資本額」、「使資本化」，但capitalize在此做為不及物動詞，意思為「（善加）利用機會以獲取好處」。這句英文分析大谷翔平的財富指數關鍵點為，他是否會善加利用本身品牌與專業資本來爭取更多代言，以創造個人生涯收入巔峰。
It’s essential for modern retailers to capitalize on digital influence for lucrative businesses.
（對於現代零售商來說，要有利潤豐厚的生意，就必須善用數位影響力。）
在金融用法中，capital (n/adj)表示「資金（的）」、「資本（的）」、「資方（的）」。動詞搭配語，如 increase／decrease capital（增資／減資）、inject／raise capital（挹注資金／調度資金），名詞搭配語capital expenditure（資本支出）、debt／equity capital （借入資本／自有資本）、venture capital（創投資金）等，都是國際商務人士在看企業經營狀況財務時，常遇到的詞語。
It’s commonly believed that real estate investors can benefit from capital appreciation of the property.
（人們普遍認為，房地產投資者可以從房產的資本增值中受益。）
【TOEIC模擬試題】
1. As branding goldmines, Maria Sharapova has _____ numerous products and top brands, like Nike, Motorola, Tag Heuer, etc.
(A) endorse
(B) endorsed
(C) endorsing
(D) endorsement
2. This CEO has various ideas on how to attract potential investors to _____ capital for the joint venture.
(A) incur
(B) inject
(C) merge
(D) mediate
【解析】
1. 正解(B)。語意為「身為品牌保證，瑪利亞莎拉波娃已代言了無數產品和頂級品牌，如Nike、Motorola、Tag Heuer等。」本題單純為文法題，測驗點為「完成式」基本公式（have／has + pp），如此一來答案只能選(B)。
2. 正解(B)。語意為「對於如何吸引潛在投資者為合資企業注資，這位CEO有很多想法。」本題重點為 capital當「資金」的搭配語用法。依照語意，可推論出正解為(B)注入。其他三個選項(A) 招致（災難或負面事物）、(C) 使（公司等）合併、(D) 調停解決（紛爭），雖非capital之搭配詞語，但皆為多益測驗中的常客。
SOURCE: https://www.englishok.com.tw/toeic/sho-time-shohei-ohtani
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