Softbank Hawks ・ Akira Nakamura infielder held a press conference on the 3rd at Mizuho PayPay Dome to announce his retirement from professional baseball.

The batting master, who has accumulated 1,520 hit in his 19th professional season, has made a decision. "I, Akira Nakamura, have decided to end my 19-year professional baseball career. I truly believe that I have been able to come this far thanks to the support of so many people." He expressed his gratitude to his fans, teammates, and family.

He told his beloved family during their trip to Yokohama on June 5th that he had decided to end his playing career this season. He revealed his inner feelings, saying, "Usually I would consult with them about everything, but I've been playing baseball for so long, so I wanted to make this decision on my own without consulting anyone."

When he decided to retire, his family accepted it, saying, "That's what you've decided, isn't it?" He expressed his gratitude again, with tears in his eyes, saying, "They have always supported and cheered me on. I feel really sorry about that. Even when I wasn't getting results, they always greeted me cheerfully when I came home. I am truly filled with gratitude."

He appeared at the press conference wearing a ring on his ring finger. On days when he has a game to play, he looks at a photo of himself and his family of three before leaving the house. He also writes their initials on his cap and revealed, "For the past few years, I've been playing with the feeling that the three of us are always fighting together." His wife and eldest son were born in September 2024. "I really couldn't have continued playing baseball this far without my wife's support. At the same time, my son's presence has been very important to me. I wish I could have played a little longer. I still want to be a cool father and husband," he said, indicating that they will continue to walk together in the future.

◆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.