◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Orix Buffaloes (18th, Tokyo Dome)

Orix Buffaloes catcher Sho Fukunaga shared his thoughts before the game regarding Motonori Watanabe, the former Yokohama High School baseball coach who passed away on the 17th at the age of 81. He said that he had read the news of his mentor's death in an online article the day before while traveling to Tokyo, and added, "Coach Watanabe retired when I was in my first year of high school, and that was my last year as a professional. We kept in touch during my time in college and even after I turned pro, so to be honest, it doesn't really feel real." He said with a solemn expression.

Fukunaga said that he was scouted by Watanabe during his junior high school days, which led to his enrollment in Yokohama High School. He said he will never forget the words, "Always have a goal," and added, "Even now, I always have a goal and work towards it. That's the most important thing to me."

"Yokohama High School wouldn't be what it is without Coach Watanabe. Just seeing the news and newspapers yesterday made me realize again what an amazing person he was. I'm proud to have been able to play in such an environment," he said, expressing his gratitude. "The best way to repay him is for us to play well and with energy. I'm sure he's watching over us, so I want to show him through my play," he vowed.