Lotte Marines outfielder Katsuya Kakunaka, who announced he will be ending his 20-year playing career at the end of this season, updated his social media accounts by the 21st. Comments are pouring in for the smiling photo.

Kakunaka hails from Ishikawa Prefecture. After playing for Nihon Koku II and Kochi in the Shikoku League, he joined the Chiba Lotte Marines in the 7th round of the 2006 university/corporate league draft. In 2012, he became the first hitter from an independent league to win the batting title with a batting average of .312. In the offseason of 2016, he renewed his contract for 141 million yen, the first time a player from an independent league had reached that milestone, making history in the league.

Kakunaka posted a photo on his Instagram with the caption, "This is how I look a few minutes after telling my wife I'm retiring!" The photo shows him wearing a practice T-shirt, smiling softly, with his hands on his hips. The post has received over 300 comments, with many saying things like, "I've been crying all morning since I saw the article about Kakunaka's retirement. I'll be cheering for you with all my might until the very end of your career," "It's so refreshing!", "I'm looking forward to a final hit to cap off your career," "I'm so happy to see Kakunaka smiling like this," "It's great to see Kakunaka looking so refreshed!", "I'm so glad I was able to support Kakunaka," "I respect your decision. Go for it!", and "It's sad and disappointing that Kakunaka, the key player for Lotte, who is so funny, entertaining, and cool, will be gone."

◆Katsuya Kakunaka: Born May 25, 1987, in Ishikawa Prefecture. Age 39. After playing for Nihon Koku II and Kochi in the Shikoku League, he joined the Chiba Lotte Marines in the 7th round of the 2006 university/corporate league draft. He won Pacific League batting hitter in 2012 and 2016, and the most hit title in 2016. 180 cm, 85 kg. Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter. Estimated annual salary this season: 60 million yen.