Takuichi Sawamura pitcher (37), who formerly played for the Lotte The Giants and Red Sox, decided to retire on August 8. He made 20 appearances for the first team last season. He was announced as a free agent on October 9, after the season ended. He was drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft by The Giants Chunichi University, and for a total of 15 years in the NPB and the majors, he has been a consistent performer pitch with a fastball mainly in the upper 150 km/h range. He has made a total of 549 plate appearances in Japan and the U.S. He is now ready to embark on his second life.

It's a man's decision. Sawamura, who has been active in both Japan and the US, has announced his retirement. This marks the end of his 15-year professional baseball career. In an interview with Sports Hochi, he said, "Being baseball player is not a job you can become just because you want to, and it's not a world you can continue in just because you want to. That's why I've played with pride and responsibility in my own way, but the time has come to say goodbye to mound."

He was drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft out of Chunichi University and put on the The Giants uniform of his dreams. In his first year as a pro, he won 11 games, lost 11, and won the rookie of the year title with a 200 inning and ERA 2.03 record. Central League He was the first rookie in 44 years since Yutaka Enatsu to become the 200th inning rookie of the year.

In 2012, he won 10 games and led the The Giants to the league championship. He was the first rookie in 45 years since Tsuneo Horiuchi to achieve double-digit win for two consecutive years. In the final game of the CS against Chunichi Dragons (Tokyo Dome), he pitched brilliantly in Game 4, despite the team being on the brink of a three-game losing streak, and shouted from the podium, "We'll win tomorrow too!" The team made a comeback with three straight wins to advance to the Japan Series and become champions of Japan.

In 2015, when he made a full-fledged transition to relief pitching, he made 60 appearances, recorded 36 saves, and had ERA of 1.32. The following year, in 2016, he made 63 appearances, recorded 37 saves, and won the title for most saves. That year, he suffered a serious injury during the season, tearing the plantar fascia in his right foot. Doctors recommended surgery, saying that in the worst case scenario, he might have difficulty walking, but out of a sense of duty as the team's guardian angel, he decided to continue pitching with conservative treatment. He endured the intense pain and fulfilled his role without making any announcements or withdrawing from the game.

In 2019, he tried again as a starter. During the Naha training camp in February, manager Hara told him, "As a relief pitcher, it seems like you're making yourself small and cramped. One, two, or even three runs is fine. Try playing that kind of baseball." By pitching long inning as a starter in the second team, he gained new skills, such as a relaxed pitching style, and in May he was promoted to the first team as a relief pitcher again. He made 43 appearances and contributed to the team's league championship with ERA of 2.61.

In the middle of 2020, he was traded to Lotte for infielder Kazuya Katsuki (currently Orix Buffaloes). That offseason, he used his overseas free agent rights to try his hand at the majors and joined the Red Sox. In 2021, he pitched 55 times, with 5 wins and 1 loss, strike out 61 batters in 53 innings. In 2022, he pitched at full speed, making 49 appearances, and captured the hearts of his hometown Boston fans.

When he returned to Japanese baseball in 2011, he chose to play for his former team, Lotte. He worked hard for three years. Last year, he pitched 20 times in the first team. On September 30th, in the game against Rakuten Eagles (ZOZO), he pitched in place of his senior from Chuo University, Mima, who had started in his retirement game and closer one hitter in the first inning, and closer two hitter. This turned out to be his final mound as an active player.

He made a total of 549 appearances in Japan and the US, with 59 wins, 60 losses, 79 saves, and 112 hold. The strong arm's fulfilling professional baseball career has come to an end.

◆ Sawamura Hirokazu: Born April 3, 1988 in Tochigi City. 37 years old. After attending Sano Nihon University and Chuo University, he joined The Giants as the first pick in the 2010 draft. He won 11 games in his first year and was named Rookie of the Year. He represented Japan in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He was MVP of Game 1 of the 2013 All-Star Game. He was traded to Lotte in September 2020 for Kazuki. That offseason, he was traded to the Red Sox as an overseas free agent. He returned to Lotte in 2023. He has a total of 549 appearances in Japan and the US, with 59 wins, 60 losses, 79 saves, and 112 hold, 951 strike out in 1,058 1/3 innings, and ERA 105 kg. He throws and bats right-handed.

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