◆Exhibition game: Nippon-Ham 3-2 DeNA (18th, Escon Stadium)

Nippon-Ham Fighters catcher Yuya Gunji (28) spoke about the truth behind the "tea-making pose" devised by Kitayama and which became a hot topic during the WBC Samurai Japan tournament. In the fourth inning, with one out and a runner on first base, he hit his first home run of the preseason off Cox's 142 km/h pitch to right field. He then performed the "tea-making pose" in the dugout. He said that he and Kitayama, who had joined the team that day, had talked about the "tea-making pose" before the game and had promised to do the pose if they got hit.

After the game, Gunji said, "Kitayama really came up with a great idea that was typical of him, and it took the sponsors into consideration. I thought about it really hard and I thought it was a really good idea, but unfortunately we lost, so if things continue like this it might get buried in obscurity. I'll take over so that this good idea doesn't get forgotten." He took over the excellent idea that also took into consideration Ito En, the official global partner of the WBC.

He said he had a discussion with Kitayama about the pose, and added, "When I told him that it didn't really catch on, he was pretty confident and said, 'No, it's popular,' so I thought, 'That can't be true' (laughs). I felt that Tatis Jr. had pretty much stolen the spotlight on the tea topic, so I wanted to continue (the pose) a little longer." He drew laughter by referencing how Fernando Tatis, the Dominican Republic national team and Padres outfielder, released a collaboration video with Ito En's green tea brand "Oi Ocha" on his Instagram after making a comment at a WBC press conference.