◆Exhibition game: The Giants 1-8 Nippon-Ham (March 14, Tokyo Dome)

Nippon-Ham of Yuya Shindo catcher (24) expressed his gratitude to The Giants ・Hisayoshi Nagano, a senior at Chikuyo Gakuen (Fukuoka). He entered Mr. Nagano's retirement game in the 8th inning defense on the way to the game. Nagano came on as a substitute batter after the second death in the inning and watched his senior bat his final at bat through his mask. I was really moved by the fact that the coach who taught me was also with me, and that my senior was standing here. I was really happy.

He first met Mr. Nagano when he was a second-year high school student and the team was participating in the Jingu Tournament, at a dinner held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. "He personally brought us some refreshments and greeted all the players, and I thought, 'Wow, a huge star professional baseball player would come to meet high school students in person, and he would go to such lengths.'" He recalled that when the team qualified for the Spring Koshien Tournament, Mr. Nagano had given the entire team winter uniforms, and he looked back on that vivid memory.

"Watching Senior Nagano's example made me realize the importance of character. "During high school baseball, Coach Eguchi always told me that it's not just about baseball skills, but also about developing character, about growing as a person, so when Mr. Nagano came, I felt anew that this is what he was teaching." Although only two players remain from Chikuyo Gakuen, including Yakult 's Nishidate, they will carry on his teachings and follow in Nagano's footsteps.