[Nippon-Ham] Akihiro Wakabayashi, in tears at retirement press conference, said, “Manager Hara’s way of using me made the most of me” – contributing to The Giants’ victory in the 2019 and 2020 leagues
Sports Hochi
2025.9.28(日) 12:40
Nippon-Ham infielder Akihiro Wakabayashi held a press conference at the team’s second-division facility in Kamagaya, Chiba, and announced his retirement at the end of this season. Wakabayashi said, “Over the past eight years, there have been many good and bad things, but I’ve met so many people and had such valuable experiences, and it’s been a truly happy baseball career. From now on, I hope to be able to contribute to baseball world in some small way. I never thought I’d be able to play a retirement game, so I’m truly grateful to the team members for creating this opportunity.”
At the press conference, he was in tears at times and said, “I don’t know what to say about myself, but everyone has given me such kind words. I can’t choose who.”
During his time with The Giants, he contributed to the team’s consecutive league championships in 2019 and 2020 under manager Hara. “Manager Hara’s way of using me really brought out the best in me. He brought out my strengths in areas that I hadn’t even noticed. He showed me the way to live in the professional world, so I’m really grateful to him,” he said.
When asked about the words that made the biggest impression on him, he carefully explained, “He would often tell me to ‘play with a bit more confidence.’ When I last spoke to him, he told me, ‘If you had played with a bit more confidence and dignity, you could have played for much longer.’ He gave me a lot of guidance on the mental aspects, and what mental state I should be in when I fight. Hara’s words have helped me to improve at the Giants. I always have a strong mindset.”
One memorable game was his first professional home run run against Lotte on June 7, 2019 (Tokyo Dome).
◆ Wakabayashi Akihiro (Wakabayashi Akihiro) Born August 26, 1993, Nakano Ward, Tokyo. 32 years old. After graduating from Toin Gakuen High School, he went on to Hosei University and JX-ENEOS before joining The Giants as the sixth pick in the 2017 draft. In March 2012, he was traded with Kori and transferred to Nippon-Ham. He is 180 cm tall and weighs 79 kg. He is a right-handed pitcher and switch hitter. His annual salary is 18 million yen. He has played in 335 games, batting .228 with 12 Home Run runs, 59 RBI, and 15 stolen base.
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AloJapan.com