Orix Buffaloes pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano (41) announced on the 11th that this would be his "last chance." At Maishima in Osaka, he renewed his contract for 55 million yen plus performance-based bonuses, a reduction of 110 million yen, exceeding the reduction limit (40% for salaries over 100 million yen). Accepting the second-largest pay cut in the team's history, he showed his resolve, saying, "Honestly, it wouldn't have been surprising if this year was the end for me. I want to approach this with the feeling that it's my last chance."

This season, in April, he became the fourth player in NPB history to achieve 250 saves, but only pitched in three games for the first team. "I wasn't able to contribute anything to the team," he lamented. From next season, he will also serve as a coach, but he emphasized, "As long as I'm under contract as a player, my first priority is to contribute as a player." "Running is the most important thing. If I can't do that, I'm no good as an athlete," he said, and this offseason he plans to once again work on building a body that won't get injured.

"I hope we can all win again. I want to support them both as a player and as a coach." Next season will be the 21st year, and there's no intention of it ending anytime soon. (Nambu Shunta)