◇Chiba Lotte Marines vs Fukuoka Softbank Game 25 (3rd, Zozo Marine Stadium)

Chiba Lotte Marines Yuki Karakawa pitcher, who has announced his retirement at the end of this season, took the starting mound for the final game of his career.

In the top of the 1st inning, against the leadoff Tomoya Masaki fielder, the first pitch was a ball, but he then got ahead with two strikes and finished him off with a struck out on a cutter. At this point, a pitcher change was made, and the second pitcher called was Naoya Masuda pitcher, a teammate of the same age who had worked hard alongside him. Having thrown his signature cutter for every pitch to finish his final appearance, Yuki Karakawa pitcher shook hands with the infielder group gathered at the mound, Manager Saburo, and Naoya Masuda pitcher, before leaving the mound to thunderous applause.

Yuki Karakawa pitcher joined the Chiba Lotte Marines as a first-round pick in the 2007 high school draft. He appeared in 15 games for the first team starting from his rookie year and supported the team as a starter for many years, recording a win for 15 consecutive years until 2022. However, from 2023, his time adjusting in the farm team increased, and his first-team appearances were limited to 10 games or fewer. After 19 years dedicated solely to The Marines, the veteran who continued to swing his arm for the team says goodbye to the mound.

◇Yuki Karakawa pitcher Comment
"The first pitch was a low, hanging ball, so I tried to adjust it as I threw. I actually wanted to throw a faster ball, though. Choosing to throw strike even at this stage perfectly represented my 19-year career. I was moved by the pitch of Naoya Masuda pitcher who followed me."

◇Yuki Karakawa pitcher Career Stats
351 games, 82 win 78 losses, 64 hold, 1340 innings pitched, 862 strike out, ERA 3.71

◇Yuki Karakawa pitcher Records
First appearance: April 26, 2008 vs Fukuoka Softbank
First start: April 26, 2008 vs Fukuoka Softbank
First win: April 26, 2008 vs Fukuoka Softbank
Reached 1000 innings pitched: April 16, 2017 vs Seibu Lions