Softbank Hawks ・ Akira Nakamura infielder held a press conference on the 3rd at Mizuho PayPay Dome to announce his retirement from active play. “I, Akira Nakamura, have decided to end my 19-year professional baseball career,” he began.

In November 2013, he underwent surgery for a lumbar disc herniation, and this season he rejoined the first team on March 21st, before the season began. Up to this point, he had a batting average of .129 in 23 games, and was removed from the active roster on June 9th. He continued to train after being removed from the roster in June, and in a farm league game against Oisix on the 28th (Tama Stadium Chikugo), he hit a game-winning walk-off bases loaded in the 9th inning. He is the second oldest position fielder on the team after 37-year-old Yanagida. Many younger players looked up to him not only for his batting, which combines skill and clutch hitting, but also for his attitude towards preparation and practice.

He joined the Softbank Hawks in the third round of the 2007 high school draft after graduating from Teikyo High School. Starting in 2013, when he earned his first starting position, he posted a batting average of .300 or higher for three consecutive years.In 2014, with 176 hit, he won his first Most hit. He overcame challenges such as autonomic nervous system dysfunction and pain in both knees in 2019 to continue competing at the highest level. Playing outfield, he won the Golden Glove Award for first baseman four consecutive years starting in 2020. This legendary player, who has left his mark on the history of The Hawks, made his decision in his 19th year as a professional.

◆Akira Nakamura: Born November 5, 1989, in Saitama Prefecture. Age 36. At Teikyo High School, he batted fourth from his second year of high school and participated in Koshien for three consecutive seasons. He hit a total of 60 Home Run in high school. He joined Softbank Hawks in the third round of the 2007 high school draft. He made his first-team debut in 2011. In 2014, he won the most hit title with 176 hit. From 2020, he won the Golden Glove Award for first base for four consecutive years. He has played in a total of 1654 games, with 1520 At Bat 5550 hit for a batting average of .274, 69 Home Run, 555 RBI, and 44 stolen base. 175 cm, 81 kg. Left-handed pitcher, left-handed batter. Estimated annual salary: 120 million yen.