Pacific League Lotte 2-5 Softbank (5th, Zozo Marine)
On the 5th, Lotte announced that former team player and first-team head coach Saburo Omura will become the new manager from next season, and that manager Masato Yoshii (60), who has been in charge since 2011 and led the team to last place this season, will step down at the end of this season.
Manager Yoshii attended the ceremony held at the team's home ground after the game and gave a speech. With tears in his eyes, he said, "I'm sorry for causing disappointment to the fans this season. I'm also sorry for causing disappointment to the staff, coaches, and players. The results are all my responsibility. I really wanted to play a little longer, but today I'm stepping down as manager." He bowed deeply and apologized, revealing his true feelings.
He expressed his gratitude once again to the fans whose "Yoshii" calls echoed throughout the stadium, saying, "I'm grateful. Even though the season is going on like this, so many of you came out at the end, spending your time and precious money. Even in the second half of the season, even for games that I didn't think I should be paying attention to, everyone came out and cheered us on so well, so I'm really grateful."
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・ [Scoreboard] Lotte vs. Softbank
・ [Lotte] First-round draft pick Misho Nishikawa finished with a batting average of .281. "I hope I can look forward to the fierce Rookie of the Year competition."
・ [Lotte] First-round draft pick Misho Nishikawa cleared the required number of at-bats and finished his first year with a batting average of .281, making him a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year.
・ [Lotte] Ryo Sakai, the fourth-round draft pick, made a great debut as a relief pitcher, pitching one runs inning. He is the right-handed pitcher who won Koshien last summer.
・ [Lotte] Head coach Saburo will assume the new managerial position next season. "We will forge ahead with courage to realize our big dream of becoming the best team in Japan."
