I think it was a good retirement game in the rain. Hiroshima’s Yoshiyuki Ishihara, who decided to retire, is a favorite player. A long time ago, I found myself in a liquor store.

The players we dated and the players Ishihara was accompanying were all high-income people. During the conversation, there was a story about money. This is a worker. I asked Ishihara, who was next to me on a topic that I couldn’t go on, saying, “It’s unbelievable. Ishihara-kun is an annual salary?”

“It’s 20 million yen.” It was fun to see him answer honestly with a bit of shyness. Over the years, he joined the ranks of the upper class and contributed to Hiroshima’s third consecutive victory. It wasn’t flashy, but I think it was a good professional life.

It is also true that many players quietly end their active lives in the shadow of a lonely but proud retirement game. Every day, each team is notified that it is out of force. Nominated on draft, lined up on stage at enrollment meeting. It is common for all athletes to have a tense and red tide appearance.

However, it is completely different depending on the player at the end, how to end active duty, and when to leave. Only a handful of people are asked to organize a retirement party like Ishihara and receive applause and cheers. That is also an inescapable reality.

“Everyone realizes only after it’s over. I have to quit. Oh, I should have done it harder, I should have worked harder. But then it’s too late. You have to notice it early.”

The warlord Senichi Hoshino spoke a lot. I think it’s a heavy word for players and coaches, as well as people who have long been involved in professional baseball as front office. Hoshino is no longer in the world, but I remember hearing with self-admonition that “it’s not just baseball.”

There are only a few seasons left that have become unusual due to the influence of the new Crown. There are countless players who seem to have had a satisfying season. I think most feel that they should have done more. Of course, if you don’t think so, you have no choice but to quit smoking.

I don’t know what the situation will be next season. However, the most important thing is to get to the situation of “come anytime” both physically and mentally, and the battle there has already begun. To conduct a retirement game that will be sent to fans and friends in the future. (Title omitted)[Toshio Takahara](Nikkan Sports.com / Baseball column “Tora da tiger da tiger!”)

Kei Ishihara (photographed by Takahito Shimizu) greets fans after touring the venue at the Hiroshima vs. Hanshin retirement ceremony

Kei Ishihara (photographed by Takahito Shimizu) greets fans after touring the venue at the Hiroshima vs. Hanshin retirement ceremony