◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Rakuten Eagles (30th, Belluna Dome)

Seibu Lions outfielder Takumi Kuriyama (42) started as the designated hitter, batting sixth, in his retirement game against the Rakuten Eagles.

In his first at-bat with two outs and runner no in the second inning, he flew out to left. In the fourth inning with two outs and runners on first and second, both teams scoreless, he caught a 142 km/h fastball from Rakuten Eagles starter Kishi, who had previously been his teammate in Seibu Lions, but it was closer to a fly out to left. In the sixth inning, with one out and a runner on first in a 3-1 score, he grounded out to second.

Prior to his retirement game, he held a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo at 9 a.m. and declared, "My best play this season has only been one hit so far, but I guess it would be that hit to center fielder and my first hit since turning pro. But I think the best will be the hit I get today. (hit count) will definitely increase." Expectations are high for his third at-bat and beyond.

◆Takumi Kuriyama: Born September 3, 1983, in Hyogo Prefecture. Age 42. Drafted in the 4th round of the 2001 draft by Seibu Lions Lions from Ikuei High School. His first appearance was on September 24, 2004, against Kintetsu Buffaloes. He achieved 2000 hit in 2021. He has been selected to the Best Nine four times and won the Golden Glove Award once. As of August 29, his statistics are 2322 games played, 2151 hit, 128 Home Run, 3001 total bases, 914 RBI, and 1052 Walk. His career batting average is .277. 177 cm, 85 kg. Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter.