[Softbank] Manager Hiroki Kokubo and Nippon Nippon-Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo, with whom he fought a fierce battle, said, “We had the same heart.”
Sports Hochi
2025.9.27(土) 23:21
Pacific League Seibu 1-4 Softbank (27th, Belluna Dome)
At the victory press conference, Softbank manager Hiroki Kokubo, who won the league championship for the second consecutive year and for the 23rd time (including twice during the single-league era), spoke about his thoughts on Nippon-Ham manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo, who fought for the championship until the end.
With a magic number of 1, Softbank win Seibu to clinch the championship in the 139th game of the season. When asked about his thoughts on Nippon-Ham, manager Kokubo reflected, “I don’t know how the players felt, but when we played against Nippon-Ham, we didn’t know what strategy they would use, so we on the field and in the management team had to prepare a lot. The atmosphere at Ace Con when they went to enemy territory made me think they must have been feeling a lot of pressure.”
However, he said, “No matter who wins, there’s no hard feelings. That’s the kind of battle we’ve been fighting this year. Most of the games were decided by a single point,” and it seems he enjoyed the close games. He also said about Manager Shinjo, “I think we share the same heart, that we want to really liven up professional baseball, and Pacific League.”
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AloJapan.com