Rakuten Eagles Eagles pitcher Kenta Maeda (38) earned his first NPB win in 11 years. Starting against Seibu Lions (Rakuten Eagles Mobile), he delivered a masterful performance, runs only 3 hit and no strike out 6. In his 7th appearance of the season, he secured the long-awaited first win The Eagles and was overcome with emotion on the victory podium. He pitched his longest inning of the season, throwing a season-high 114 pitches. The team also achieved its first three-game sweep against the league leaders this season, and new manager Masato Yoshii (61) celebrated his 200th career win as manager.

Kenta Maeda's soul-stirring roar echoed. In the bottom of the 7th inning, with a two-run lead, two outs, and a runner on second base, he struck out Hirasawa with a fly ball to second base and let out a roar. He earned his first win of the season in his seventh appearance, having pitched seven scoreless innings, runs only three hit. It was his first win in NPB in 3,919 days, since his game against the Chunichi Dragons on October 2, 2015 (at Mazda Stadium). He delivered his joyous speech on the victory platform, tears welling up in his eyes.

"I've had so much support from my fans, but I just couldn't seem to win. Today has become a very important day for me."

He made the decision with determination. After playing in the majors for 10 years, he decided to return to Japan. "I came here intending to end my career here." He is fighting with unwavering resolve. On this day, he overpowered batters with his fastball, which reached a top speed of 151 km/h, and kept breaking ball low. He also made a series of excellent fielding plays. With his spirited pitch, he led new manager Yoshii and the team to three consecutive wins in the same series.

His view of baseball was completely changed across the ocean. He won 16 games in his first year in MLB and tasted the joy of winning a championship. In 2021, he underwent surgery on his right elbow. He continued to play in the minor leagues. What left the deepest impression on him was the "daily life" of a top-tier player.

"The most impressive thing was how much the Major League players practice. Before going there, I had the impression they didn't practice much, but they practice more than the Japanese players. That difference surprised me the most."

The image of Clayton Kershaw, a former Dodgers teammate and MLB legend with 223 career wins, is etched in his memory. "I was shocked. I didn't know he could do that much." The three-time Cy Young Award winner sweats harder than anyone else. His example fundamentally changed him. "I realized I had to do more. My view of baseball and my attitude towards it changed drastically." He now arrives at the stadium more than three hours earlier. He also increased his training. His comeback in Japan was no accident. He fine-tuned his form. With a thorough sense of professionalism, he shone once again.

While adjusting in the minor leagues, he celebrated his 38th birthday on April 11th. "My family came to celebrate with me," he said. He wanted to show everyone his winning form as soon as possible. He secured his 166th career win in Japan and the US in his new team. "This is a special win for me." Maeda's "new chapter" has begun. (Kota Miyauchi)

〇…Ken Maeda drew a picture on a T-shirt to commemorate his first win and presented it to a fan. The right-handed pitcher, who is famous for his unique style of drawing, said on the victory platform, "Just talking isn't interesting. I've drawn a picture, which I'm good at," and pulled out something he had prepared on the spot. The "masterpiece" was completed in about one minute. It was given to a boy in the left field home run run terrace seats.

[Record Note] This is the first win in Japanese professional baseball in 11 years since Ken Maeda (Rakuten) pitched against the Chunichi on October 2, 2015, while he was with the Hiroshima Carp.This marks the third-longest gap win, following Tomokazu Oya (Yokohama: 1 win in ’94 → 7 wins in ’10) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (West: 17 wins in ’06 → Central: 6 wins in ’18).