On the 20th, Orix Buffaloes announced that a retirement press conference and ceremony for Yoshihisa Hirano pitcher and pitcher coach, who announced his retirement at the end of this season, would be held at the Softbank Hawks game (Kyocera Dome Osaka) on September 25. He joined the team from Kyoto Sangyo University through the 2005 university and corporate player draft preference slot, and played for 18 years at Orix Buffaloes. He also played in the majors, achieving 250 saves and 200 hold over a combined 21-year span in Japan and the U.S., achieving the unprecedented feat of 258 saves and 205 hold.

In 2010, his fifth year as a professional, he blossomed after switching to a relief pitcher, winning the Best reliever in 2011 and the Most Saves title in 2014. In 2017, he was called up as an additional player to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic, and in 2023, he became the first player from Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes to be inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

GM Fukura stated, "Of course, he's such a valuable contributor," confirming that a ceremony would be held after Hirano's retirement announcement. The closer, who will leave his mark on baseball history, will end his career on a high note in front of Orix Buffaloes fans.

◆Yoshihisa Hirano: Born March 8, 1984, in Kyoto Prefecture. Age 42. After graduating from Toba High School in Kyoto and Kyoto Sangyo University, he joined Orix Buffaloes in 2005 through the university/corporate league draft. He won the Best reliever in 2011 and the Most Saves title in 2014. In the offseason of 2017, he exercised his overseas free agency rights. After playing for the Diamondbacks and Mariners, he returned to Orix Buffaloes in 2021. In 2023, he achieved 250 saves in his combined career in Japan and the US, and was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. His motto is "Give it your all." 186 cm, 90 kg. Right-handed pitcher and batter.