◆Pacific League: Rakuten Eagles vs. Orix Buffaloes (3rd, Rakuten Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

On the 3rd, a steady stream of flowers arrived to express appreciation for Rakuten Eagles pitcher Wataru Karashima, who has announced his retirement at the end of this season.

In addition to current teammates, flowers were sent by former colleagues such as Masahiro Tanaka and Norimoto of The Giants.

Karashima joined the team as the 6th draft pick in 2008 from Fukuoka Iizuka High School and has spent his entire 18-year career with the Rakuten Eagles. He has continued to support the team primarily as a starter with a pitch style that makes full use of varying speeds. He recorded his first professional win in 2012. In 2013, he experienced the club's first league title and Japan Series championship. In 2019, he achieved a career-high 9 wins. He was also the last remaining homegrown member of the club's championship-winning team.

He is scheduled to start the game against the Orix Buffaloes on the same day (at Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi) and pitch to one hitter. A retirement ceremony will be held after the game.

Wataru Karashima. Born October 18, 1990, in Fukuoka Prefecture. 35 years old. As the ace of Iizuka High School in the summer of his third year, he led the school to its first Koshien appearance. He joined the Rakuten Eagles as the 6th draft pick in 2008. He made his professional debut in 2009 as a rookie. In 2019, he recorded a career-high 9 wins. In 210 total appearances, he has 56 wins, 74 losses, and a 4.01 ERA. 173 cm, 72 kg. Left-handed pitcher and hitter.