Toshiaki Imae, who appeared on "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 22nd, commented on Rakuten Eagles 's Hideto Asamura.

In the bottom of the 11th inning with no outs and no runner on base, Asamura came up to bat for the sixth time Home Run priceless game-tying home run, his sixth of the season, off fork thrown by Seibu Lions 's Hakua Iwaki on a 1-ball, 1-strike, sending it over the center field wall.

Imaeda commented, "His presence in crucial moments is what makes him so appealing. It's this one shot. It's his charm, and recently he hasn't been in top form, or rather, he hasn't been able to swing his own way. I think he's not satisfied with himself. He's a player who can show his strength in situations like this. He's really reliable." He added, "The way he celebrated, he hardly ever shows it on his face, but he was really fired up. He was happy, or rather, he showed his joy, so I thought it was a rare sight."

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