Kintetsu Wins the Pennant
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Down by 3 runs going to the bottom of the 9th at Osaka Dome, a base hit followed by a double put runners at second and third with nobody out. The next batter didn't get anything close, and the bases were loaded. I joked to my wife that what we needed here was a gyaku-ten manrui sayonara home run. And a couple pitches later, my jaw dropped as Kitagawa placed the ball into the upper deck in left-center! Gyaku-ten manrui sayonara home run! Kinetsu defeats the Orix Blue Wave 7-6 to take their first Pacific League pennant in 12 years!
As soon as the ball left Kitagawa's bat, the first base dugout cleared. I was worried that he'd be jumped before reaching home plate. There were hugs all around as players were wondering around the field as though in a dream. Tears are in many players' eyes still as I watch the cerimony declaring Kintetsu the Pacific League champions. The infamous "pennant" is presented to Nashida-kantoku, who passes it on to Nakamura. Nakamura waves it to the crowd with a big roar, and while the players unfold it, a trophy is awarded to Nashida-kantoku. Now it's time to parade around the field with the pennant.
Incredible! And a fitting finale to a great season for Kintetsu.