Chunichi Dragons player Yuki Okabayashi has been selected as the “defensive specialist” for the fourth consecutive year.

The Mitsui Golden Glove Award is given to defensive specialists in professional baseball. At today’s award ceremony, Yuki Okabayashi was selected in the outfielder category for the fourth consecutive year.

“I will continue to work hard to receive this award every year.”

Okabayashi was the only player across all 12 teams this year to play complete innings in all 143 games, using his speed to make plays across a wide defensive range and repeatedly saving the team from difficult situations.

Next year, he aims to help the team win the league championship for the first time in 15 years. His motivation is high.

“We’ve been in the B-class for a while, so I want to do my best to help the team win the championship.”

Mitsui Golden Glove Award

The Mitsui Golden Glove Award is not a physical place or cultural site, but a prestigious Japanese baseball honor. Established in 1972 and sponsored by the Mitsui Group, it is awarded annually to the best fielding players at each position in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), similar to the Gold Glove Award in Major League Baseball.

Chunichi Dragons

The Chunichi Dragons are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, Japan, and are one of the oldest and most storied franchises in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Founded in 1936, the team has a rich history, winning numerous Central League pennants and the Japan Series championship in 1954 and 2007. They are known for their passionate fan base and play their home games at the Nagoya Dome.