◇ Chiba Lotte Marines vs. Fukuoka Softbank 24th Round (2nd, Zozo Marine Stadium)

​Chiba Lotte Marines Katsuya Kakunaka player appeared in starting line-up retirement game. He played up to eight innings before bidding farewell to his playing career.

Kakunaka entered the starting line-up as the sixth batter left fielder. He swung struck out his first at-bat, grounded out to first in his second, and fouled on a sharp line drive on the second pitch in his third at-bat, but swung and missed the third pitch and finished struck out. He didn't get a hit in his retirement game, but in the top of the eighth inning, he hit the right field defense. With the third out, he caught Yuki Yanagita fly out to right and slowly returned to the dugout, where he was welcomed by his teammates.

He joined the Kochi Fighting Dogs of the Shikoku Island League as a seventh-round draft pick. In 2012, he played in 128 games and cleared the required plate appearances for the first time in his career, finishing hitter first with a .312 batting average.

He continued to deliver consistent results with his trademark bat control, and in 2016 he posted a .339 batting average of 178 hit, winning his second hitter and his first hit title. Even after his playing opportunities decreased, he demonstrated his clutch performance and contributed to the team, winning the Sky PerfecTV! Dramatic walk-off Award of the Year in 2023.

As expressed in the key visual for his retirement ceremony, 'THE ONE AND ONLY' (= one and only), Kakunaka was loved for his unique character both on and off the field. In this retirement game, his beloved son threw the ceremonial first pitch and made batting announcements.

◇ Kakunaka Player Career Record
1,514 games, 5,549 plate appearances, 1,345 hit 250 doble 70 Home Run 564 RBI, batting average .279

◇ Kakunaka's Records and Major Titles
First appearance: July 24, 2007, Fukuoka Softbank match
First at-bat: July 24, 2007, Fukuoka Softbank game
First starting line-up July 24, 2007 Fukuoka Softbank Fight
First hit July 26, 2007 Fukuoka Softbank Match
First RBI July 26, 2007 Fukuoka Softbank Fight
First Home Run April 16, 2008 Tohoku Rakuten Eagles Match
First stolen base September 25, 2009 Orix Buffaloes Fight

1000 Appearances May 25, 2019 Fukuoka Softbank Match
1,500 Appearances June 17, 2025 Hanshin Tigers Match
1000 hit May 11, 2019 Fukuoka Softbank Match

First hitter (2012, 2016)
Most hit (2016)
Best Nine (2012, 2016)
Monthly MVP (June 2018)
walk-off Award: Grand Prize of the Year (2023)

Text by Minagi Niwa