From a "star of development" to a "demon of development." outfielder Seiya Matsubara (30), who was released from Seibu Lions, will retire from active play and return to The Giants as a coach at the Giants Academy. "I think there are many things that only I have experienced. I think I've had a pretty unique baseball career, so I want to make use of that," he said, as he devotes himself to developing future professional baseball players.

He has embodied the concept of "overcoming the odds. He was not a member of the team in high school and was a nobody in college, so he joined the professional ranks through training. In the summer of his junior year at Sendai Ikuei, he was off the bench. He went on to study at Meisei University, which is in the second division of the Tokyo Metropolitan University League. The Giants In his second year, July 2006, he was promoted to a managerial position. In 2009, he became the first player from the developmental ranks Central League to lead the team hitter Home Run and the first to hit double digits Home Run (12 runs). In the same year, he also became the first player from the developmental ranks to reach the batting average requirement, batting .274 in 135 games, with a record of 15 stolen base.

During his career as a professional baseball player, there is one person for whom Matsubara is eternally grateful, saying, "I was able to play for nine years because he was strict and constant in his words." This is The Giants coach Kawase Masahiro (who will be the first-team wall chief next season). "He taught me about the world of professional baseball, both in my personal and professional life." When Matsubara joined The Giants, Kawase was the third-team manager. "Just like Kawase guided me, I hope I can guide as many children as possible to a bright future." It's up to Matsubara to raise a new "star." (Onaka Ayami)

◆Matsubara Seiya: Born January 26, 1995 in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. 30 years old. He went on to Meisei University from Sendai Ikuei High School and joined The Giants as the 5th pick in the 2016 development draft. He was registered as a regular player in July 2018. In 2021, he played in 135 games, recording a batting average of .274, 12 Home Run, and 37 RBI. His professional career total is 333 games, with a batting average of .241, 15 Home Run, 67 RBI, and 30 stolen base. He is 173 cm tall and weighs 78 kg. He throws right and bats left.