◆Mynavi All-Star Game 2026: Pacific League 7-8 Central League (June 29, Toyama)

It was the second year in a row that we saw the "Shinjo Show." Nippon-Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo (54) spread his arms wide and dove headfirst towards home plate. "My knees are already shaking (laughs). I was thinking, 'I'll do something like the home steal in 2006 (actually 2004),' but I actually tripped (laughs). I was half laughing as I was falling." He was trying to recreate the legendary home steal that earned him the MVP award and was the first solo home steal in the All-Star Game, but instead he tripped and fell. He stole the show with laughter at the All-Star Game held at Toyama Municipal Stadium for the first time in 30 years.

It was the fourth inning when he was coaching first base. With no outs and runners on first and third, on the second pitch to Takizawa, he raised both of his red wristbands above his elbows. He gave the signal, "If both are on, it's a double steal," and runner first, Murabayashi, took off. While catcher throw to second base, the runner on third, Wakatsuki, scored to give his team the lead. He showcased the "cheap baseball" he had honed with his own team and smiled, saying, "I wanted to give the fans who came to Toyama even a little bit of the fun of baseball and smiles, and I'm glad it worked."

It was also a chance for "revenge" against Wakatsuki. In the first game of last year's All-Star Game (Kyocera Dome), he was the third base coach and, with one out and a runner on third, he used his electronic scoreboard sunglasses to signal a "squeeze," but it was unsuccessful. He was delighted that he had finally succeeded in the secret plan they had discussed the day before (the 28th), saying, "When Wakatsuki was up to bat (in the 4th inning), I told the coach I was going to go over there, and if we had won there, Wakatsuki would have been the MVP."

Before the All-Star Game, he had said, "It's mainly about the players. I'll do it if I feel like it," but he reversed his statement with this performance. "I'm sure a lot of people will say I'm trying to steal the spotlight from the players, but who cares? Everyone was laughing." This natural entertainer once again captured the hearts of fans at this year's All-Star Game.

(Haruki Kawakami)

◇Tsuyoshi Shinjo and the All-Star Game

▼He made his debut in 1994 while playing for Hanshin Tigers Tigers, stolen base base as a pinch runner in the first game.

▼In 1999, he earned his first MVP award with a go-ahead hit and the game-winning home run, which was the first home run of the All-Star Game, in the third game.

▼In 2004, he made his debut as a Pacific League player for Nippon-Ham Fighters. He stole home and won the MVP award.

▼In 2005, he showed off diamond-encrusted spike worth 5 million yen in the first game, and in the second game, he predicted Home Run with his "golden bat," but grounded out to second base.

▼In 2006, he wore a rainbow-colored bat and an electronic scoreboard belt.

▼25 years ago, he made his debut as a coach and led the All Pacific team to a resounding victory by scoring 5 runs with a batting lineup he assembled using a "gachapon lottery" that he himself devised. In the 4th inning, when he took over as third base coach, he showed off an astonishing sign by lighting up "squeeze" on custom-made electronic display sunglasses that cost 1.6 million yen.