Akihiko Ohya, who appeared on 'Professional baseball News 2026' broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 12th, mentioned Seibu Lions' Seiya Watanabe.

Watabe had 2 hits in 11 At Bats across three games of the CS first baseman stage against Nippon-Ham, and with another hit failing to come even in clutch situations, the team was also eliminated in the first baseman stage.

When program MC Hiroki Nomura introduced him by saying, "The one I'm concerned about is The Lions' Watanabe. He had two hit in the first baseman stage," Mr. Oya commented, "He got a hit in his final at-bat, but he batted fifth in the first game, seventh in the second, and ninth in the third. He reached a point where there was nowhere lower to go. Even so, his turn keeps coming up in clutch situations. I don't want him to get into a negative mindset, thinking things like he shouldn't fail in those moments. Results won't come if he doesn't swing the bat."

When Mr. Nomura said, "I can tell he wants to do something about it. I think it was a valuable and good experience," Mr. Ohya urged him to rise to the occasion, saying, "This is a player who must lead the Seibu Lions. I want him to stay strong and learn from this failure. Manager Nishiguchi gave him this many opportunities, after all."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"