SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 1
● DeNA 1 － 3 Softbank Hawks ○
＜October 24, Yokohama Stadium＞

Hatsuhiko Tsuji and Atsushi Kataoka, who appeared on 'Professional baseball News 2026' broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 24th, mentioned Yudai Yamamoto of the Softbank Hawks.

Yamamoto, who was traded from DeNA to the Softbank Hawks mid-season, appeared in the starting line-up as the 'number 7 catcher' for the first game of the Japan Series against his former team and recorded multiple hits. In his third at-bat in the 7th inning with no outs and a runner on first in a 0-0 game, he hit a doble to left field that led to the opening run.

Kataoka commented on Yamamoto's seventh-inning doble, saying, 'He knows DeNA well, and I think he is facing them with a different mindset. Hitting for extra bases was significant. Getting on base was a major factor for the Softbank Hawks' offense.'

Mr. Tsuji spoke about Yamamoto's performance with two hits, saying, "I think he must be happy," and Mr. Kataoka said, "I suppose you could call it a way of giving back in a good sense. He has those kinds of feelings, and he was able to return to the stage of the Japan Series at Yokohama Stadium, where he played many games. Showing that he is doing well—even though The BayStars fans are the enemy, I think there is a part of them that feels something special despite him being an opponent."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"