◆ 165 wins in Japan and the US, the end of a 22-year professional baseball career

Softbank Takeshi Wada pitcher (44), who retired at the end of last season, started the opening match (Mizuho PayPay) against Nippon-Ham, which was his retirement match on the 15th. He finished the first hitter with a struck out and put an end to his 22-year professional baseball career with a refreshing smile on his face.

The legendary left-hander took to the familiar mound with the cheers of the fans. He had Nippon Nippon-Ham 's leadoff hitter Kiyomiya down with one ball and two strike, and finally struck him out with a 134 km/ struck out fastball, drawing thunderous applause once again.

Manager Kokubo was smiling broadly when he came to mound to announce the change. Wada was also smiling as he talked with his teammates, and even after he returned to the bench, he was still smiling brightly.

Wada, who recorded a total of 165 wins in Japan and the US (160 wins in NPB, 5 wins in MLB), announced his retirement in November of last year. In conjunction with his retirement appearance on the 14th, he had been registered as a "voluntary retired return player" on the roster.