◆2025 Persol Climax Series Pacific Final Stage Game 6 Softbank 2-1 Nippon-Ham (20th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Nippon-Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo (53) clapped his hands and appeared at the press conference with a beaming expression. "It was an incredibly good final, and an incredibly good season. The second-place team shouldn't go to the Japan Series." Despite scoring a total of 22 runs in the three games from Game 3 onwards, they were unable to overcome Moinelo in the final showdown, losing to the champions with three hit and one run. After the game on the 16th, when they were on the brink of collapse, he said, "If we win four games, the story will be a drama," but his words were not fulfilled. "Next year, we'll be even stronger. We'll win by a landslide and go to the Japan Series," he said, eager for revenge.

They have certainly shown their growth since last season. Last season, they were eliminated in the final stage after three straight losses, but this season, they have come back from two straight losses to turn the tables and secure a place in the championship. They were unable to advance to the Japan Series after a 0-3 record (including advantage), a first in history, but they still managed to corner the champions. "They've grown, haven't they? They won three straight games. They were just one step away." Tatsuya, who started that day, is still only 21 years old. Many young players, including 22-year-old Fukushima, who pitched well in the second game, giving up only two runs in the middle of the eighth inning, excelled on the big stage. "If our young members can perform this well, other teams must be jealous. It was a great experience. This year is enough for me." He didn't express any regret.

The team came together to grab win. At the pre-game coaching meeting, team staff also joined in, and Manager Shinjo silently shook hands with each member, uniting the team in spirit. "We all fought together, so in the end, whether we win or lose, it's all about that," he reflected.

As he entered the stadium, the manager looked at the yellow wall in the passageway for those involved and said, "This place is starting to look like Koshien." He joked, "I wanted to show up (at Koshien), but I was half The Fighters, half The Tigers (uniform), and wearing (Manager Fujikawa's) number 22," showing his regret that the match against his former team could not come to fruition.

Next season will be his fifth year in office. "We'll see how much reinforcement Softbank brings to the team. We'll go with the current members." By defeating the champions, he will finally achieve his long-cherished dream for the first time in 10 years. (Haruki Kawakami)

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・ [Photo] Manager Shinjo, 5 and a half years ago (1)
・ [Photo] Manager Shinjo, 5 and a half years ago (2)
・ [Photo] Manager Shinjo four years ago
・ [Photo] Manager Shinjo three and a half years ago
・ [Photo] Manager Shinjo two years ago