◆ Pacific League League: Lotte vs. Orix Buffaloes (ZOZO Marine Stadium)

On the 9th, Orix Buffaloes officially announced that pitcher and pitcher coach Yoshihisa Hirano will retire at the end of this season. He joined the team in 2005 as a draft pick from Kyoto Sangyo University and played Orix Buffaloes for 18 years. He also played in Major League Baseball, and achieved the unprecedented feat of becoming the first player in history to clear 250 saves and 200 hold in his 21-year career in Japan and the US (258 saves, 205 hold).

Manager Mamoru Kishida expressed his respect, saying, "He has played professionally for a very long time and achieved these kinds of numbers; he is truly a legend for our team. I think only Hirano himself can understand what it feels like to be a player who has reached that level. Since it was Hirano's own decision, I'm sure it was the right one for him."

For the manager, Hirano is a close friend and comrade who was drafted in the same year, 2005, and with whom he has built a brotherly relationship. "We've really been together for a long time, 21 years. It's hard to sum it up in just a few words. The more I look for memories, the more I realize there are," he reflected.

He said that Hirano had contacted him directly by phone, and explained, "We talked for a long time. I listened to Hirano's current situation and feelings..." He continued, "The most important thing was, 'Thank you so much for all your hard work over such a long period of time.' Beyond that, no matter how hard I try to understand his feelings, I'm not at a level where I can truly comprehend them. I think most people probably can't understand the feelings of a player who has reached that level. So I told him, 'There are a lot of things only you understand, so I think the decision you made was the right one.'" He revealed that this was the extent of their conversation.

"Hirano was truly the last player from the time I joined the team... I feel a sense of loneliness," he said softly. He added that he had jokingly told Hirano, "You could still do it, couldn't you?" He continued, "I feel sad, and also a renewed sense of how amazing he is. He must have played until his body was completely worn out, so I couldn't just say it so easily."

He has signed a contract to serve as both pitcher and coach for the remainder of this season. "I'll leave it up to him (for the rest of the season), but I hear his leg isn't in the best condition right now. But he's not the type of kid to give up. I want him to go down the path he believes in to the fullest," he said, indicating his intention to witness his final appearance.