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Baseball: Giants' Chono retires

Yomiuri Giants outfielder Hisayoshi Chono (L) poses for a photo with teammate Hayato Sakamoto during his retirement ceremony held as part of a fan event at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 23, 2025. The Giants earlier announced Chono's retirement following the 2025 season.

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Baseball: Yomiuri Giant Kajitani retires

Yomiuri Giants outfielder Takayuki Kajitani (R) receives flowers from teammate Hayato Sakamoto at the end of a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2024, on his retirement from professional baseball.

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Baseball: Yomiuri Giants' Hayato Sakamoto

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants drives in a run in the first inning of a baseball game against the DeNA BayStars in the central Japan city of Fukui on May 15, 2024.

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Baseball: Giants-CTBC Brothers friendly

Hayato Sakamoto of Japan's Yomiuri Giants hits a single in an international friendly baseball game against Taiwan's CTBC Brothers at Taipei Dome on March 2, 2024.

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Matsui acting as special coach at Giants' training camp

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Former Yomiuri Giants and New York Yankees star Hideki Matsui (R) serves as a batting-practice pitcher for shortstop Hayato Sakamoto during the Giants' spring training camp in Miyazaki on Feb. 2, 2014. Matsui is a special coach at the camp.

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Baseball: Japan vs. U.S. in WBC semifinal

LOS ANGELES, United States, March 21 Kyodo - Hayato Sakamoto of Japan hits an infield single during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the United States at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21, 2017.

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Game 3 of Japan-Major League All-Star series

TOKYO, Japan - Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants belts a two-run homer in the second inning of Game 3 of the Japan-Major League All-Star Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 15, 2014. Samurai Japan won the first two games.

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Carp ace Maeda among 6 named to Samurai Japan squad

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on July 17, 2014, in Tokyo shows Japan baseball manager Hiroki Kokubo (C) and the first six members of this year's national team -- (from L) Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto, Rakuten Eagles catcher Motohiro Shima, Orix Buffaloes outfielder Yoshio Itoi, Buffaloes ace Chihiro Kaneko, Hiroshima Carp ace Kenta Maeda and Nippon Ham Fighters outfielder Sho Nakata. The team's big test this autumn will be five games against a team of visiting major leaguers in November.

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Yomiuri's Sakamoto cracks 1,000th career hit

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants responds to the crowd after cracking his 1,000th career hit in a game against the Seibu Lions in Tokorozawa, Japan, on May 20, 2014, at the age of 25 years and 5 months.

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Puerto Rico beat Japan in WBC semifinal

SAN FRANCISCO, United States - Japan starter Kenta Maeda throws the first pitch against Puerto Rico in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, on March 17, 2013. Shortstop Hayato Sakamoto is seen in the right back. Puerto Rico won 3-1.

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Japan vs. Netherlands in WBC

TOKYO, Japan - Hayato Sakamoto of Japan watches the ball after hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning of a World Baseball Classic second-round game against the Netherlands at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2013. Japan won 16-4 to advance to the final round in San Francisco. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning.

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Japan vs. Netherlands in WBC

TOKYO, Japan - Hayato Sakamoto of Japan hits a grand slam in the seventh inning of a World Baseball Classic second-round game against the Netherlands at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2013, in front of catcher Sebastiaan Nooij. Japan won 16-4 to advance to the final round in San Francisco. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning.

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Japan vs. Netherlands in WBC

TOKYO, Japan - Hayato Sakamoto of Japan hits a grand slam in the seventh inning of a World Baseball Classic second-round game against the Netherlands at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2013. Japan won 16-4 to advance to the final round in San Francisco. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning.

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Waseda's Saito pitches against pros

TOKYO, Japan - Yuki Saito, star pitcher of Waseda University, watches a single to left he gave up to Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto in the first inning of a game between a university all-star team and a select team of professionals at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 22, 2009.

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Giants win Japan Series opener

SAPPORO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto acknowledges the crowd after his club defeats the Nippon Ham Fighters 4-3 in the opener of the Japan Series at Sapporo Dome on Oct. 31, 2009. Sakamoto hit a go-ahead two-run double in the fifth inning.

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Giants win Japan Series opener

SAPPORO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto hits a go-ahead two-run double to left in the fifth inning of the opener of the Japan Series against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Sapporo Dome on Oct. 31, 2009, leading his club to a 4-3 victory.

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Yomiuri's Sakamoto celebrates winning title

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants' Yoshiyuki Kamei pours beer on team hopeful Hayato Sakamoto during a party to celebrate the team's winning its third consecutive Central League title at a hotel in Tokyo on Sept. 23, 2009.

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Central League leading hitter Sakamoto keeps shining

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto, the current leader of the Japanese Central League batting average ranking, hits an RBI single to left in the second inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome on June 26.

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Yomiuri's Sakamoto belts go-ahead homer

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants up-and-coming shortstop Hayato Sakamoto hits a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning of a game against the Chunichi Dragons at Tokyo Dome on May 10. The Giants won 8-7.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto hits a sacrifice fly to open the scoring in the third inning of the Tokyo Olympic baseball semifinal against South Korea on Aug. 4, 2021, at Yokohama baseball stadium near Tokyo.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto hits a sacrifice fly to open the scoring in the third inning of the Tokyo Olympic baseball semifinal against South Korea on Aug. 4, 2021, at Yokohama baseball stadium near Tokyo.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto hits a sacrifice fly to open the scoring in the third inning of the Tokyo Olympic baseball semifinal against South Korea on Aug. 4, 2021, at Yokohama baseball stadium near Tokyo.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japanese shortstop Hayato Sakamoto (red) turns a double play in the fourth inning of the country's opening-round game against Mexico during the Tokyo Olympics at Yokohama baseball stadium near Tokyo on July 31, 2021. (Kyodo)(SELECTION) ==Kyodo

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto (C) celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-winning hit against the Dominican Republic during the ninth inning of the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament's opener on July 28, 2021, at Fukushima Azuma stadium, northeastern Japan.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto hits a game-winning hit against the Dominican Republic during the ninth inning of the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament's opener on July 28, 2021, at Fukushima Azuma stadium, northeastern Japan.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto hits a game-winning hit against the Dominican Republic during the ninth inning of the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament's opener on July 28, 2021, at Fukushima Azuma stadium, northeastern Japan.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto reacts after hitting a game-winning hit against the Dominican Republic during the ninth inning of the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament's opener on July 28, 2021, at Fukushima Azuma stadium, northeastern Japan.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto (facing camera) celebrates with coach Hirokazu Ibata (82) after hitting a game-winning hit against the Dominican Republic during the ninth inning of the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament's opener on July 28, 2021, at Fukushima Azuma stadium, northeastern Japan.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan shortstop Hayato Sakamoto (R) catches a fly alongside center fielder Yuki Yanagita during the seventh inning of the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament's opener against the Dominican Republic on July 28, 2021, at Fukushima Azuma stadium, northeastern Japan.

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Yomiuri's Sakamoto belts go-ahead homer

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants up-and-coming shortstop Hayato Sakamoto hits a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning of a game against the Chunichi Dragons at Tokyo Dome on May 10. The Giants won 8-7. (Kyodo)

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Japan, S. Korea play in WBSC Premier 12 semifinal

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto hits a sacrifice fly to right off South Korea's Cha Woo Chan in the fourth inning of a semifinal game against South Korea at the WBSC Premier 12 baseball tournament at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Sakamoto finally claims 1st Golden Glove

Yomiuri Giants captain Hayato Sakamoto (front) celebrates with teammates after defeating the DeNA BayStars in Tokyo Dome on Oct. 9, 2016. Sakamoto was named the winner of the Central League's Golden Glove at shortstop on Nov. 8, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Game 3 of Japan-Major League All-Star series

TOKYO, Japan - Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants belts a two-run homer in the second inning of Game 3 of the Japan-Major League All-Star Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 15, 2014. Samurai Japan won the first two games. (Kyodo)

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Baseball in Japan

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants hits a solo home run in the third inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 25, 2020.

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Baseball: Opening day in Japan

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants bats during the team's season opener against the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome on June 19, 2020, with fans shown on a video screen behind home plate. Japanese baseball's season began without fans in the stands for the first time amid continued worries over the novel coronavirus. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Japan Series

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants hits an RBI double in the first inning in Game 4 of the Japan Series against the SoftBank Hawks at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Nov. 25, 2020.

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Baseball: Japan Series

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants hits an RBI double in the first inning in Game 4 of the Japan Series against the SoftBank Hawks at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Nov. 25, 2020.

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Baseball: Japan Series

Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto (front) takes batting practice at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, Japan, on Nov. 23, 2020, a day before Game 3 of the Japan Series against the SoftBank Hawks.

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Baseball: Japan Series

Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto is pictured during practice at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on Nov. 20, 2020, a day before Game 1 of the Japan Series against the SoftBank Hawks.

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Baseball: Sakamoto gets 2,000th career hit

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants is congratulated by teammates after recording his 2,000th career hit in the first inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 8, 2020.

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Baseball: Sakamoto gets 2,000th career hit

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants doubles down the left-field line for his 2,000th career hit in the first inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 8, 2020.

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Baseball: Sakamoto gets 2,000th career hit

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants doubles down the left-field line for his 2,000th career hit in the first inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 8, 2020.

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Baseball: Sakamoto gets 2,000th career hit

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants doubles down the left-field line for his 2,000th career hit in the first inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 8, 2020.

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Baseball: Sakamoto gets 2,000th career hit

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants doubles down the left-field line for his 2,000th career hit in the first inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 8, 2020.

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Baseball: Opening series in Japan

Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants hits an RBI single in the seventh inning against the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome on June 20, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Ahead of Japan baseball season start

Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto is pictured during fielding practice at Tokyo Dome on June 18, 2020, a day before Japanese baseball's coronavirus-delayed season begins. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: 2 Giants players test positive for coronavirus

Takumi Oshiro of the Yomiuri Giants in action during a practice game against the Seibu Lions at Tokyo Dome on June 2, 2020. Oshiro and teammate Hayato Sakamoto have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the club said on June 3. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: 2 Giants players test positive for coronavirus

Takumi Oshiro of the Yomiuri Giants in action during a practice game against the Seibu Lions at Tokyo Dome on June 2, 2020. Oshiro and teammate Hayato Sakamoto have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the club said on June 3. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: 2 Giants players test positive for coronavirus

Hayato Sakamoto (white) of the Yomiuri Giants in action during a practice game against the Seibu Lions at Tokyo Dome on June 2, 2020. Sakamoto and teammate Takumi Oshiro have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the club said on June 3. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: 2 Giants players test positive for coronavirus

Hayato Sakamoto (white) of the Yomiuri Giants in action during a practice game against the Seibu Lions at Tokyo Dome on June 2, 2020. Sakamoto and teammate Takumi Oshiro have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the club said on June 3. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo