Nippon-Ham pitcher Hiromi Ito (28) vowed on the 17th to perform just as well as Japanese Major Leaguers at the World Baseball Classic to be held in March next year. Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani has already announced his participation, and Yamamoto and Sugano are also expected to be selected. "There are many good players currently playing in NPB. I want to show that it's not just MLB players." The Sawamura Award-winning right-hander was a member of the 2023 World Championship team and is highly likely to be selected again this time. As the strongest pitcher in NPB, he showed his determination to demonstrate the high level of Japanese talent to the world.

On this day, he participated in a talk show in Hakodate, Hokkaido, together with Kanemura. His first child was born this month. He was present at the birth and said, "I was deeply moved. I have to work even harder," renewing his resolve. He has been tentatively selected as the opening day pitcher for the season opener on March 27th (against Softbank Hawks at Mizuho PayPay Dome). He declared, "I will pitch shutout game," thrilling the 340 fans in attendance. (Haruki Kawakami)