The Exciting Winners of the 2025 Sky Perfect Dramatic Ending Award

The 2025 Sky Perfect Dramatic Ending Award

The annual Sky Perfect Dramatic Ending Award, established by both the Central and Pacific Leagues and sponsored by Sky Perfect JSAT Corporation, has announced its winners for the 2025 season. The prestigious award honors players who have delivered the most impactful game-winning hits throughout the regular season, one from each league.

This year's Central League recipient is Yukihiro Akabane from the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, while the Pacific League award goes to Yuya Gunji from the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. The essence of this award lies in its tribute to the dramatic moments in baseball, characterized by the unexpected turn of events until the final pitch.

The Sky Perfect awards are awarded based on fan votes collected from all twelve monthly dramatic ending plays as part of the “Sky Perfect Ending Award.” Each player was recognized with a unique trophy and a cash prize of 2 million yen.

Central League Winner: Yukihiro Akabane

Yukihiro Akabane made history with a stunning game-winning three-run home run that struck the left field pole on July 21 at Jingu Stadium against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. The game was fraught with tension, as the Swallows trailed 4-6 in the bottom of the ninth. After surviving a challenging game where they struggled early on, Akabane came through when it mattered most.

With two outs and runners on first and third bases, Akabane stepped up to the plate after two hits earlier in the game. He faced a curveball from the Carp’s pitcher, and his bat made contact, sending the ball crashing into the left pole, sealing a sensational victory for his team and marking his first-ever game-winning home run.

This thrilling ending led the Tokyo Yakult Swallows to a four-game winning streak, showcasing Akabane’s ability to rise to the occasion at a crucial moment.

Pacific League Winner: Yuya Gunji

On April 11 at Escon Field, Yuya Gunji delivered an unforgettable performance when he hit a game-winning two-run home run in the twelfth inning against the Saitama Seibu Lions. The match was a nail-biter, having remained scoreless through nine innings, featuring stellar pitching from both starting pitchers.

As the game headed into extras, the tension heightened with both bullpens maintaining perfection. In the twelfth inning, with two outs and a runner on second base, Gunji was sent in as a pinch hitter. With a critical situation at hand, Gunji's patience at the plate paid off. After falling behind in the count, he connected on the fourth pitch and sent the ball soaring into the right field stands, securing a dramatic two-run walk-off homer.

His moment not only clinched the victory for the Fighters but also capped off an exhausting twelve-inning battle, demonstrating the excitement and unpredictability of baseball.

This award, now in its established format, highlights the thrilling conclusion to so many games throughout the season and connects deeply with the purpose of Sky Perfect, which strives to deliver captivating baseball to fans across all twelve teams. The 2025 edition of the Sky Perfect Dramatic Ending Award stands as a testimony to the magic of baseball's unexpected heroics and the unwavering support of its passionate fans.