On the 20th, Atsushi Kataoka, who appeared on "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on Fuji TV ONE, commented on Katsuya Kakunaka, who announced his retirement at the end of this season.

Kataoka praised him, saying, "He was a great player who won titles. He was a player who stood close to the base and hit with no step, holding back from opening his body up. He worked his way up from the independent league and won titles. I think his unique no-step hitting style is fundamental to batting. When I see him sprinting to first first baseman on a ground ball to second baseman, it seems like he could still do it, but it's his decision. Only he knows when to retire, so I think he's done enough."

Kakunaka joined the Chiba Lotte Marines in the 7th round of the 2006 college/corporate league draft. He secured a regular position in 2012 and won the hitter title that same year. In 2013, he was selected for the Japanese national team for the World Baseball Classic (WBC). In 2016, hitter won his second batting title and the most hit title, and has been a key player for The Marines offense for many years. In the game against Softbank Hawks Hawks on the 20th, he started as the 8th DH, hit 0-At Bat-4 with struck out. So far this season, he has played in 9 games with a batting average of .067.

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