On the 20th, the Seibu Lions announced that pitcher Kaima Taira and player Taiga Kojima won the 2026 pro baseball Best Battery Award established by Sports Nippon Newspaper.

▼ pitcher Kaima Taira

I am happy to receive such a wonderful award for the first time together with Kojima. Even as a rookie, Kojima fought really hard throughout the year. I think there were many challenges in the first year as a professional, but to fight through the entire season and win an award like this is truly amazing.

▼ Taiga Kojima

I have learned so much from Taira-san, and I believe I was able to receive this award thanks to him. Next time, I want to contribute through my own strength and work hard to win this award again. Taira-san's pitches are so wonderful that I felt they wouldn't be hit no matter where he threw them, and being able to form a battery with him since my first year was a great learning experience. In addition to growing as a catcher, I also want to become a hitter who can hit the balls of a pitcher like Taira-san.