Lotte's Yuki Karakawa's retirement ceremony will be held after the game against the Softbank Hawks (Zozo Marine Stadium) starting at 18:00.

This time, we asked The Marines players for their memories and stories about Yuki Karakawa, who is retiring from active duty at the end of this season.

▼ Yuji Nishino (18th year / pitcher)

I've done independent training with him since I was young, and he was truly a high school graduate just one year my senior; while I was a developmental player, Karakawa-san was already a regular in the first squad. There were quite a few times when he came down to the farm team due to injury, and he would call out to me back then. He's someone I've watched for a long time, so there's a sense of loneliness. To those of us just one or two years younger, he was a senior who led the way. He was truly kind, and I felt he was someone who really looked after his juniors.

▼ Naoya Masuda (15th year / pitcher)

I think the best moment recently was when I could hand the winning ball to Yuki (Karakawa) after performing as the closer. I hope I can pitch in the games where Yuki pitches.

▼ Naonori Yasuda (9th year / infielder)

My best memory is going to New Zealand together for independent training last off-season. He taught me things like table manners. It was a week where I was able to grow a lot as a person. It was fun. I want to show my best side in front of my senior during Karakawa-san's retirement match, and I intend to do my best.

▼ Kazuya Ojima (8th year / pitcher)

Basically, he is very caring toward his juniors, and until a little while ago, he felt like 'Karakawa-senpai.' I don't know if this is the right way to put it, but lately, he feels like an older brother. How should I say it... I've been getting that big brother vibe from him recently. An older brother while still maintaining proper etiquette. He isn't difficult to talk to at all; in the past, I had a strong image of him as 'Karakawa-san of the Lotte Marines,' but now we chat about everyday things, and he strikes up conversations naturally. At his age, he's been pitching in the farm league for a long time, and he would occasionally vent his weaknesses to me—just once in a while. He'd say things like, 'The old man is doing his best,' and I'd respond with, 'Karakawa-san, don't say that!' On the day before his retirement was officially announced, he called a junior like me. I was so shocked that I don't remember what we talked about, but I'm incredibly lonely. With Kakunaka-san and Karakawa-san finishing, it feels like an era of Lotte is ending—the people I used to watch on TV. It's very sad, but I'm only in my 8th year. Karakawa-san did it for 19 years, so I haven't even reached the halfway point. Playing baseball for 19 years in this world is an incredible feat. I truly respect him.

▼ Kyota Fujiwara (8th year / outfielder)

I used to go out for meals and drinks with Karakawa-san and Masuda-san in our private time, so I think the most memorable thing for me was just being able to drink together outside of work.

▼ Rikuto Yokoyama (7th year / pitcher)

There are many things, but when I was doing independent training with Masada-san, Karakawa-san also joined us. During that time, he taught me various things about baseball, and since we were together in our daily lives during the training, he also taught me about lifestyle matters. I also have memories of him inviting me over for a barbecue at his home.

▼ Fumiya Ono (7th year since transfer / pitcher)

I guess it would be having barbecues at home. Since we are on good terms, we used to have a barbecue at Mr. Karakawa's house every year.

▼ Toshiya Sato (7th year / catcher)

"I learned so many things from him. We have been doing independent training together, and he taught me the basics, starting with how to conduct myself in the bullpen. During my first and second years, we talked about how to spend time in the bullpen and how to be perceived by the pitcher when I went to catch for them, including my overall presence, in order to become a trusted catcher. Yuki (Karakawa) taught me the fundamentals, and even regarding pitch selection, it was Yuki who gave me the opportunity to start having conversations with pitchers—not just with him—about their condition, what was working, and what wasn't on a given day. He has really looked out for me since my first year, and I feel I was able to grow because of that, so I am extremely grateful to him."

▼ Shota Suzuki (6th year / pitcher)

I only spent six years here, but seeing him arrive so early for morning preparations to meticulously check his body made me realize that this is what it takes to be a long-lasting player. He was a role model for the younger players and is a senior I deeply respect.

▼ Tokito Kawamura (6th year / pitcher)

It was being taken out for steak. It wasn't for a special occasion or anything, he just took me out. It was delicious (laughs). In terms of play, he was someone who always did the daily preparation and everything necessary to have a long career, so I learned by watching him in that regard.

▼ Shunsuke Nakamori (6th year / pitcher)

"Mr. Karakawa got married last year and I received a wedding gift from him, but I haven't been able to give him a return gift yet, so I'm thinking I need to do that soon (laughs)."

▼ Akira Yagi (5th year / pitcher)

He takes me out for meals and things like that, and I truly respect him. Even when he's with the farm team, he does the same routine every single day. No matter what kind of day it is, he never cuts corners and silently goes about his prescribed training. Seeing that is just incredible—the fact that a veteran player continues to work without slacking off is amazing. I have nothing but respect for him.

▼ Koshiro Sakamoto (5th year since transfer / pitcher)

Since we were relatively close in age, he would take me out to eat, and during the time between practice and games, he would talk to me about various baseball matters as well as just normal conversation. He was a very kind person. Even within that kindness, there was a strictness, and from our perspective, he was an incredible human being, and as a baseball player, there were many parts of him I truly respected. It is very sad, but having spent my baseball life together with Karakawa-san has been a plus for me. I am extremely grateful.

▼ Ko Matsukawa (5th year / catcher)

Having had the opportunity to form a battery with him, I feel there was a great deal to learn from working together, including the pitch sequencing among his cutter, curveball, fastball, and breaking ball, as well as how to attack left-handed hitters and how to use the inside part of the plate against right-handed hitters.

▼ Raito Ikeda (5th year / infielder)

I went to New Zealand with him, and he taught me a lot there. Whether I was in the minors or the majors, he always made a point to talk to me. He's always scolding me, though—telling me things like 'Line up your shoes!' Since he's my senior, he shows me what it means to be a role model.

▼ Shuta Takano (4th year / pitcher)

"When we were in the bullpen together last year, we talked about how difficult an extra inning is. When Karakawa-san pitched in the 11th and 12th innings (against Hiroshima) last year, I told him, 'That's really difficult, isn't it? I hate an extra inning the most, but how do you approach them, or rather, how do you enter the game?' He told me that since the first batter is crucial, he visualizes how to get the first batter out, plans his pitch sequence, and then moves to the next pattern once that's done. We talked about the mindset for an extra inning—and this applies to relief appearances in general, not just an extra inning—about how important that first out is for getting all three outs. Later, when I had to pitch multiple innings in the 11th and 12th, those words stayed with me and I was able to act as a closer and get the job done. I'm glad I was able to hear from such a well-known and experienced veteran."

▼ Haruya Tanaka (4th year / pitcher)

One thing I use as a reference is how he calmly makes good preparations and practices every single day, no matter the situation, before going into a game; I learned the importance of preparation from Karakawa-san. I use him as a model, so I am greatly influenced by his attitude toward practice.

▼ Keisuke Sawada (4th year since transfer / pitcher)

Regarding Mr. Karakawa, my first road trip after joining Lotte and returning to second-team games was to Fukuoka, and that was the first time he took us all out for a meal. He suggested we all go out during the farm team's Fukuoka trip and invited me along. We were staying in Kurume, but we took the train to Hakata, all ate hot pot together, and then headed back.

▼ Ryusei Terachi (3rd year / catcher)

I was able to form a battery with Karakawa-san during my first year when I was called up from the farm team. When I greeted him at the players' association year-end party last year, he told me, 'You're the one who has to step up!' I intend to take those words to heart as I move forward.

▼ Misho Nishikawa (2nd year / outfielder)

I was able to work with him for two years, and seeing him, I felt how important things like preparation become when you play until that age. I think he is where he is today because he has been active since he was young, so I want to become that kind of player. My impression of him was that he was very kind.

▼ Hayato Miyazaki (1st year since transfer / pitcher)

He helped me a lot during my time on the farm team. Mr. Karakawa has gone through many experiences himself, and since there was a period where I also struggled with the yips, he talked to me about various things like practice methods and how to overcome them to throw well again. From here on, it's up to whether I can grasp it or not, so I will keep working at it and do my best to make it my own.

▼ Genki Ishigaki (1st year / pitcher)

The very first thing he said to me was that I seemed quiet, and since I was a first-round draft pick, he told me I should carry myself with more confidence. That was our first conversation. Regarding my desire to play as long as pitcher Karakawa, I think he is amazing, and since I feel there is a connection between us, I want to work hard to surpass him.

▼ Hayato Fuji (1st year / pitcher)

I remember him reaching out to me when I was injured, and talking to me about how amazing it is for brothers to both be pros when my younger brother (Yamato, Seibu Lions) was pitching in a game. Also, I could really tell just by watching that he had a clear intention behind every single throw during his pre-game adjustments and catch, and I thought that was incredible.

▼ Taisei (1st year / pitcher)

He is such an amazing player that he would teach me all sorts of things when I asked for advice, and he really spoke to me without any hesitation even though I was in my first year. He was a very kind senior. He would talk to me casually even about things other than baseball, so I think that was really nice.

▼ Kaishu Takahashi (1st year / pitcher)

It was my first year, but they treated me very kindly, and I worked while listening to their various experiences.

▼ Yuya Sakurai (1st year / infielder)

"It was just recently, but when I was going up, he said something to make me laugh like 'Follow me!', which made me feel more at ease. Since I'm a pitcher, I don't usually have much interaction with him even here at Zozo Marine Stadium, but being told to follow him really put my mind at rest."

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita