Manabu Mima (39), who will end his 15-year career as an active player at the end of this season and will begin coaching the next generation of pitchers as Lotte's second-division pitcher coach next season, said, "I am truly grateful to all the fans, coaches, teammates, and family who have supported me so far. With a desire to repay them, I would like to do my best to support the players' growth and contribute to the team." He has renewed his determination in his new coaching career.

Despite being small at 169 cm and 75 kg, he was entrusted with being part of the starting rotation for Rakuten Eagles and Lotte, and took on hitter head-on. "I've played baseball with a lot of inferiority complexes, including my height. I've always had a rebellious spirit, never wanting to lose and wanting to beat bigger people," he recalls. The surgery on his right elbow, which he underwent six times, including during his student days, is also a badge of honor for his 80 career wins.

In the retirement game on September 30th, in the Rakuten Eagles game (ZOZO), he took a swing struck out in one at-bat match with Asamura, but it was discovered the next day that he had torn the joint tendon of the right elbow flexor muscle on the third pitch. Although he cried until the end, he said, "I have been injured and have stood up a lot, so I want to tell the young players today that they will not give up even if they are injured. Even if you don't have a physique or a breakdown, there will definitely be a way to success. I am prepared to be close to the young and walk that path together. (Shunsuke Ami)

◆Mima Manabu: Born September 19, 1986 in Ibaraki Prefecture. He is 39 years old. After graduating from Fujishiro, he went on to Chuo University and Tokyo Gas before joining Rakuten Eagles as the second pick in the 2010 draft. In the 2013 Japan Series against The Giants, he contributed to the team's victory by winning two games and was named MVP. In the offseason of 2019, he transferred to Lotte as a free agent. His career record is 80 wins and 88 losses in 267 appearances, ERA 3.94. He is 169 cm tall and weighs 75 kg. He throws right and bats left.