◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 6-1 Rakuten Eagles (16th, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes announced on the 16th that Toshio Kanbe, who played for Kintetsu and Yakult, passed away on the 15th. He was 83 years old. The wake and funeral will be held as a private family affair. They also intend to decline condolences and floral tributes.

Mr. Kanbe graduated from Takasago High School, then played for Mitsubishi Paper and Fuji Steel Hirohata, and joined Kintetsu as the second pick in the 1969 draft. From his rookie year, he was one of the starting pitchers and recorded 8 wins. On April 20, 1975, in the game against Nankai (Fujidera), he also achieved no hitter. This was the first time since the DH system was adopted in Pacific League. After transferring to Yakult in 1979, he retired from active play in 1982. After that, he served as a pitcher coach for Yakult, Kintetsu, Orix Buffaloes, and Korean teams.

Rakuten manager Rakuten Eagles Yoshii, who was coached by Kanbe during his time with Kintetsu and Orix Buffaloes, spoke after the game against Softbank Hawks. "He was pitcher helped me out when I was in the minor leagues, and my birthday is April 20th, and (Kanbe) threw no hitter on April 20th. He was a really good left-handed pitcher," he recalled.

Mr. Kanbe also nurtured many pitcher as a coach. Manager Yoshii was one of them. "As a coach, he was the one who coached me when I was starting out as a professional baseball player, and even now when I'm teaching young players, Mr. Kanbe's teachings remain in my mind and I put them into practice. It's truly regrettable, but I hope he rests in peace," he said, praying for the repose of the deceased's soul.