◆ Pacific League: Nippon-Ham vs. Seibu Lions (17th, ES CON FIELD)

Seibu Lions ・ Takumi Kuriyama outfielder, who has announced his retirement at the end of this season, joined the first team on January 17.

He started the season in the minor leagues, but after a batting average of .438 with 7 hit in 16 At Bat, he was promoted to the first team. On this day, after batting practice, he took to the left field position for defense practice. Kuwahara, who played left field with him, wiped away a lot of sweat and said, "I was really nervous. I was sweating about 1.5 times more than usual. It's been my dream, after all. It's an honor." He immediately embodied his determination to "play in a way that will be a good inspiration to my teammates and fans."

Although he wasn't registered as a player on this day, he is expected to be registered on the 18th, and the veteran vowed, "I'll just try to show what I've been working on. It's not like I can suddenly hit the ball 10 meters further by trying too hard now (laughs)." As he approaches the "opening day" of his final year, which will conclude his 25-year professional baseball career, he remains completely natural, saying, "I've been playing in the farm league with the feeling that I'm already playing in the first team. So it doesn't feel like the opening day with the first team again. I think I'll be able to get into it smoothly."