Takayuki Kajitani, the former outfielder for the DeNA Baystars and Yomiuri Giants, has officially announced his retirement following the 2024 season. On April 4, 2024, he appeared on the BS Fuji special program "Live Commentary Baseball Journey - Pro Baseball 88th Generation Journey! Part 2" where he shared his deepest joy about stepping away from the game.
The program featured members from the renowned 1988 birth year, often referred to as the "Golden Generation," showcasing beloved players like Yomiuri's Hayato Sakamoto, MLB's Kenta Maeda from the Tigers, Shogo Akiyama from Hiroshima, Yu Darvish from Chunichi, and former Yakult player Taishi Ueda, alongside Kajitani. Together, they took part in lighthearted travel adventures, sharing moments outside the usual competitive environment of the baseball season.
During the car ride, Ueda prompted the conversation with, "What was the happiest thing for you this year (2024)?" Players took turns sharing personal highlights of their seasons. Sakamoto mentioned his happiness about winning the "Golden Glove" award as he transitioned to third base, emphasizing personal growth alongside team success. Akiyama echoed this sentiment, referring to the recognition for top performances, and Yu Darvish made the group laugh with his unusual happy moment of placing fifth at the team's golf tournament.
But for Kajitani, the most significant highlight was undeniably, as he stated, "retirement." Reflecting on his retirement announcement, he described the overwhelming joy he felt during his retirement press conference held on October 23, when he was surprised by the presence of 11 teammates, including Sakamoto, the very next day after announcing his decision.
"Everyone came to support me. After I decided to retire, I thought nobody would show up, just having announced it the day before. But then Hayato came, and one by one, the others started arriving. It was really touching," Kajitani recalled with evident emotion.
Sakamoto, sitting beside him, commented, "You rarely see such turnout for something like this." Kajitani responded, sitting back with nostalgia, "It just shows how the Giants' players are really good people. We share strong bonds; it feels like family." His heartfelt words underscored the significance of unity among the Giants players.
At the retirement press conference, Sakamoto made a surprising entrance to present Kajitani with flowers, followed by other teammates—Nobuhiko Matsunaka, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, and several others—who also joined the celebration, making the event memorable and heartfelt.
This celebration not only marked the end of Kajitani's active career but also highlighted the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect within the team. His reflections about his time at the Giants over the past four years showcased the beloved players’ heartfelt connections extending beyond the baseball diamond.
Kajitani’s decision to retire marks the closing chapter for one of the notable players of the Giants and the 88 generation. A once-promising player, who transitioned through various stages of his career with grace and tenacity, leaves behind not only accolades but also cherished relationships with his teammates.
The broadcast of the program provided fans with insight as to who Kajitani is, not just as a player but as part of the rich fabric of the Yomiuri Giants’ history. His story, woven with gratitude, friendship, and respect for the game, reverberates with sentiment not just for him but his fellow colleagues, enriching the legacy of professional baseball.