◆Nippon Life Central-Pacific Interleague Series 2026 Hanshin Tigers 0–1 Seibu Lions (16th · Koshien)

Seibu Lions Hanshin Tigers, , finished the Interleague season with a record of 14 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie, claiming the franchise’s first-ever championship. In the fifth inning, with the score tied 0–0, (32) broke the deadlock with an RBI single, and the team held on thanks to a 4 relay. With a consistent performance that saw them finish with a winning record against every team, this marked the latest championship in the since the Interleague Play began in 2005.Kuwahara, who won the Interleague Championship in 2023 while with DeNA and joined the team this season via free agency, contributed an exclusive essay to Sports Hochi, candidly detailing his reasons for the move and his impressions of the team from both inside and outside the organization. win Masayuki Kuwahara outfielder pitcher shutout game Central League Pacific League

Exclusive memoir

Well, we really wanted to do something, so I'm glad we ultimately won. pitcher did a great job of controlling the game, and the batters connected well, so I think our pitching and hitting were in sync. Our main goal is to win the league championship, but the interleague games are definitely a turning point, so I'm glad we were able to win.

The reason I decided to transfer to Seibu Lions is because I wanted to change my environment and have a more profound career, both as a baseball player and as a person. I haven't experienced the heat at Belluna yet, so I don't know what to expect... At my signing press conference, I said that my passion would blow it away, but I think it might get a little painful (laughs).

I thought Seibu Lions would be a quiet team, but they're much more lively than I imagined. I also had the impression that Manager Nishiguchi was a quiet, reserved person who just went about his own business, but in reality, he really pays close attention to his players. I like his slightly humorous Kansai-style personality.

I don't often eat out when we're on road trips, but I often have the opportunity to talk with Koga (Yuto), Hase (Shinya Hasegawa), and (Hirasawa) Taiga at the dining hall. It's almost always about baseball. I don't often offer advice myself, but if they ask me, I'll of course answer to the best of my ability. Given my age and position, I want the younger players to play with all their might ground, and I think it's my duty to support them in that.

With the team focusing on physical conditioning since last fall, Seibu Lions seems to have a better training routine than DeNA. Even just watching their batted balls in practice, you can see the difference. I watch them thinking, "Wow, I can't beat them, I can't compete physically."

I know there will definitely be tough times ahead, but if we can fight through the season with the same spirit as we have now, I'm sure we'll get good results. Our fans support us every single day, no matter what, so I want to repay them with results and win. I'm really looking forward to what it's like to win the league championship. (Seibu Lions outfielder)

◆Masayuki Kuwahara: Born July 21, 1993, in Osaka Prefecture. Age 32. Joined Yokohama (now DeNA) in 2011 as the 4th pick in the draft from Fukuchiyama Seibi High School. Won the Golden Glove Award as the starting center fielder in 2017 and 2023. MVP of the 2024 Japan Series. Exercised his domestic free agency rights in the offseason of 2025 and joined Seibu Lions. 174 cm, 80 kg. Right-handed pitcher, right-handed batter.