I am honestly happy. Since I have worked toward this as a goal in my career as a baseball player, it has been a truly wonderful experience for me, and I believe it is all thanks to the manager who trusted me and kept using me until now.

Lotte's Shota Suzuki won his first individual title in his sixth professional year, the title of most valuable reliever pitcher.

Suzuki was primarily responsible for the 8th inning of winning games from the start of the season, accumulating wins and holds. In March and April, he appeared in 11 games with 1 win, 6 holds, and 1 save. In May, he had 3 wins and 5 holds in 9 games, marking 16 hold points by the end of May. In June, he continued to steadily increase his hold points with 1 win and 4 holds in 8 games, totaling 5 hold points for the month, and recorded 23 hold points before the All-Star break.

After the All-Star break, from the Softbank Hawks game on August 13th to the Rakuten Eagles game on the 20th, he recorded holds in three consecutive games, became the winning pitcher in the Nippon-Ham game on the 21st, and marked a hold in the Nippon-Ham game on the 23rd, reaching a career-high 30 hold points for the season.

Regarding individual titles during this period, he said, "Not everyone can win one, and I don't even know if I'll have the chance to pitch, so I can't let that interfere with the team's victories. I think if I win a title, it means the team is winning, so I'd be happy if it turns out that way." He also remarked, "Personally, winning a title since entering the professional world is a goal, so I think it will be a head-to-head battle with Mukunoki. However, I think it's best not to worry too much and just focus on getting the batter in front of me out as the closer." Back in August, he was competing for the title with Ren Mukunoki of the Orix Buffaloes.

It was thought that it would be a head-to-head battle between Suzuki and Mukunoki, but Softbank Hawks setup man Yuki Matsumoto also steadily increased his hold points as the team continued to rack up wins. Suzuki, Matsumoto, and Mukunoki competed for the title.

During an interview after pre-game practice on September 17, Suzuki muttered, "They are catching up, aren't they?" Regarding his rivals' movements, he focused on the games ahead, saying, "I'm concerned, but we have more games left. Since The Hawks are winning, I figured it would naturally turn out that way, but there's no point in worrying about it. I just hope there are as many situations as possible where I can pitch. I believe that will lead to team victories. While I'd be happy to win a title, my priority is to fight through to the very end of the year."

At the time of the interview, a 10-game series starting from the Seibu Lions game on September 25th was coming up (it became a 12-game series after the Seibu Lions games on September 20th and 21st were cancelled). Suzuki said with determination, "I want to pitch in all 10 games." From the first game of the 12-game series against the Seibu Lions on September 25th to the Nippon-Ham game on September 27th, Suzuki made a fiery appearance in three consecutive games. After actually pitching in three straight games, he said with a cool expression, "Pitching three games in a row was easier than I expected. There was some physical reaction, but I was fine for the most part."

In the game against Softbank Hawks on October 2nd, closer runs for one inning, recording hold and securing his first-ever Best reliever pitcher award.

When asked about his feelings on actually winning the title during an interview on October 4th, his reaction was surprisingly calm, saying, 'I don't really have a strong sense of it yet. How should I put it... yes, I'm happy.' It was an individual title earned through his daily efforts. 'I think that's what it comes down to. There are also many times I've failed, so I shouldn't be satisfied and must continue to refine those areas,' he added.

I wonder if he was spoken to by Yuki Matsui of the Padres, who has been helping him with independent training, or by Naoya Masuda, who was his catch partner throughout the season during pre-game practices this year.

Masuda-san shook my hand and said congratulations. I also received a message from Matsui-san, who offered their blessings.

Although he secured an individual title, he has a strong desire to win another one next time while also leading the team to a league championship. 'It's not fun unless you win. I want to win the championship. I want to see the scenery and the colors of a victory.' Next season, he aims to win his second consecutive title while ensuring the team finishes as champions.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita