◆ Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes vs. Softbank Hawks (July 7th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

It was a parabola reminiscent of his prime. In the 7th inning, with Softbank Hawks leading by one run and two outs with runners on second and third base, pinch hitter Yanagita launched his 10th home run of the season, a three-run shot to right-center field. The massive arch, which traveled 132 meters (according to NPB+), was his first pinch-hit home run in his 16th professional season and 288th career home run. It was his 11th season with double-digit Home Run, and his first in three years. "I jammed it a little, but I had a good swing and it went up at a good angle," he said excitedly.

Just before this, in the same seventh inning with two outs, The Giants' Sakamoto hit a go-ahead three-run doble as a pinch hitter, giving the 37-year-old veteran a "performance" in both Tokyo and Osaka. On July 3rd, Nakamura announced his retirement at the end of the season. Yanagida, one year older, and Imamiya had been notified in advance. He himself is playing in the final year of his seven-year contract, battling against his declining physical condition. "I haven't gotten the results I wanted, so I want to improve from here," he said, not satisfied with his batting average of .251, but his superhuman power remains intact. He continues to exert his presence as the face of the team. (Koichiro Shimao)