Skyperfectv's June 'Sayōnara Award' Winners Announced: Celebrating Baseball Heroes

Skyperfectv's June 'Sayōnara Award' Winners Announced

For over a decade, Skyperfectv has been supporting the professional baseball community by sponsoring the monthly 'Sayōnara Award,' established by the Central and Pacific Leagues. This award honors players who deliver the most impactful walk-off performances in games throughout the month. Each winner is awarded a trophy and a cash prize of 300,000 yen.

On July 10, it was announced that in the Central League, Shota Morishita from the Hanshin Tigers, and in the Pacific League, Yutaro Sugimoto from the Orix Buffaloes, were the recipients of the June award. Both players received their honors during award ceremonies held at their respective game venues.

Players' Reactions

Shota Morishita (Hanshin Tigers)

Morishita expressed great joy upon receiving the award, stating, "I'm truly honored to receive such an award. The walk-off victory is not something I achieve alone but a result of teamwork, and I want to express my gratitude to my teammates. Everyone fought hard, including the pitchers and fielders, so I stepped up to the plate with the hope of contributing to the team's win. Hitting a home run to decide the game in front of the roaring crowd at Koshien will remain a memorable moment for me. I'm thrilled to have delivered a walk-off moment for our fans who always support us. I'll continue to value each game and play hard until the end to bring more victories."

Yutaro Sugimoto (Orix Buffaloes)

Sugimoto was surprised and elated to win the award for the second time, reflecting, "I honestly didn't expect to win again, but I'm extremely happy to be acknowledged. We were on a losing streak at the time, and thanks to Keita Nakagawa, who created the opportunity, I went to the plate with the mindset of just making contact. I believe not trying to be overly ambitious but focusing on connecting with the next batter played a crucial role in my success. There's nothing quite like the feeling of deciding a game with a walk-off hit, and it made me very happy that my teammates celebrated with me. I want to keep living up to the warm support from Orix fans, especially during tough times. I'm currently in the second team, but I’ll work hard to return to the first team as soon as possible and show them my batting that can win awards like this one again."

Overview of Winning Plays

Central League: Shota Morishita (Hanshin Tigers) - This month marks Morishita's first award. On June 30 at Koshien Stadium, during the 12th game against the Chunichi Dragons, he delivered a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, tying the game at 2-2. Although the Tigers initially trailed, Morishita's impressive hitting pulled them back with a equalizing strike, and his walk-off homer clinched a thrilling victory for the team, concluding their rough June on a high note.

Pacific League: Yutaro Sugimoto (Orix Buffaloes) - This is Sugimoto's second time receiving the award. On June 9 at Kyocera Dome, he stepped into the batter's box during a pivotal moment of the game against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, hitting a dramatic walk-off double that secured a comeback win for Orix. After a challenging start to the season, this swing was a defining moment for Sugimoto, illustrating the powerful impact of perseverance and teamwork in baseball.

About the 'Sayōnara Award'

The 'Sayōnara Award' has been awarded since 2012 to players whose late-game heroics have left a significant impact in the realm of professional baseball. Skyperfectv has been dedicated to broadcasting every official game from both leagues since the 2006 season, ensuring that the excitement of every match, including the final moment, is felt by fans. This support aims to contribute positively to the development of baseball in Japan.

For the official website, visit Skyperfectv Sayōnara Award.

About Skyperfectv

Skyperfectv is a major satellite broadcasting service in Japan offered by Skyperfectv JSAT Corporation, providing a vast array of channels covering sports, movies, anime, music, and various entertainment genres to meet diverse viewer needs. The service allows for flexible subscription options and a rich viewing experience through live broadcasts and recorded replays.

As Skyperfectv approaches its 30th anniversary in October 2026, the aim is to continue deepening engagement with users’ passions and creating memorable viewing experiences beyond mere content consumption.