Yasushi Tao and Takahiro Saeki, who appeared on "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 3rd, commented on Rakuten Eagles 's McCusker, who was ejected from the game against Orix Buffaloes that day for insulting the umpire.

In his first at-bat of the game—with the score 1–0 in the first inning and one out, runners on first and second—Orix Buffaloes, facing starting pitcher Alen Kuri, took a half-swing at the sixth pitch—a low breaking ball—after a 3-ball, 2-strike count, and was called out on struck out. Unsatisfied with the call, McCusker was ejected for umpire.

To this, Mr. Tao said, "I also wrote Walk in my scorebook," and Mr. Saeki agreed, "I also put it in the ball zone and called it Walk, just like Mr. Tao." Mr. Tao then expressed his sympathy for McCusker, saying, "That was unfortunate. No player would go back to the dugout without complaining in that situation. He was ejected, so it must have been tough."

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