◆ Mr. Manaka: "He's full of motivation, or rather, he's like he's saying, 'Just you wait and see...'"

Nippon-Ham win Rakuten Eagles 6-2 on the 19th. Trailing by one run in the second inning, Yuya Gunji hit his third home run of the season, a two Home Run.

Regarding Gunji's home run, his first in 133 at-bats, MC Mitsuru Manaka of Fuji TV ONE's "Pro baseball News 2026," which aired on the 19th, reflected on the post-game interview, saying, "He'd been struggling a bit, but today's Home Run means we can have high hopes for him, so it's exciting. It was his Home Run run in a long time." Commentator Kenichi Tanizawa added with a wry smile, "It came at a good time. I don't think he needs to say 'Gunji's comeback' himself."

When Manaka pointed out, "batting order has been changed several times, and he was initially batting fourth, but now he's batting in various positions, and he himself says he's 'making a comeback'," the other commentator, Tomashino Kenji, praised him, saying, "I think there will be a 'comeback.' Everyone's hero interviews were positive comments, which I think is very good." Manaka added, "It was a hero interview that showed he was full of motivation, like he was saying, 'Just you wait and see,'" to which Tomashino nodded and said, "It's exciting, isn't it?"

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"