Teammates appear at retirement press conference

Fukuoka Softbank Akira Nakamura infielder held a retirement press conference on the 3rd at . Toward the end of the conference, nine players—including and —made a surprise appearance. , who had decided to hang up his uniform at the end of this season, also smiled, and the press conference was filled with a warm, friendly atmosphere. 　 During the press conference, despite it being July—in the middle of the season—he spoke about the reasons behind his decision to retire, and there were moments when tears welled up in his eyes as he expressed his feelings for his family. Toward the end, teammates with whom he had shared the joy of winning the league championship and the Japan Series title appeared in the press conference room. There was even a moment when and presented him with a single flower, saying, “The flower’s meaning is ‘admiration and passion.’” 　 He joined as the third overall pick in the 2007 draft. In 2013, his sixth season, he reached the required number of at-bats for the first time, and the following year, he hit 176 to win the title for most .Over his 19-year professional career, he contributed to league championships and Japan Series titles. This season, he hit for the first team, bringing his career total to 1,520 . MIZUHO PayPay Dome Yuki Yanagita outfielder Ukyo Shuto outfielder Akira Nakamura Akira Nakamura Akira Kawase infielder Akira Nakamura Fukuoka Softbank hit hit hit hit Article provided by: Full-Count