CTBC Brothers and Yomiuri Giants Announce Joint Theme Days; Nagano Hisayoshi to Throw First Pitch on the 13th

(CNA, Taipei, June 8, by reporter Hsieh Ching-wen) The CPBL's CTBC Brothers issued a press release today announcing that on June 13 and 14, they will host a joint theme day with Japan's Yomiuri Giants, titled "GIABBIT'S CHALLENGE," at their Taichung Intercontinental home stadium. On the 13th, retired Giants star Nagano Hisayoshi will be invited to Taiwan to throw the ceremonial first pitch.

The first day of the theme event on the 13th will specially feature Yomiuri Giants legend Nagano Hisayoshi as the first pitch guest. Nagano is one of the most representative outfielders of the modern Yomiuri Giants. During his professional career, he twice rejected nominations from other teams just to realize his dream of joining the Giants, finally donning the orange and black uniform in 2009.

Nagano won the Central League Rookie of the Year in his 2010 debut season and went on to win a batting title, a hits leader title, three Golden Glove Awards, and three Best Nine awards. He was also selected for the 2013 WBC Japanese national team. In his 16-year professional career, he accumulated 1,512 hits, 163 home runs, and 623 RBIs.

In March of this year, the Yomiuri Giants held a special retirement ceremony for Nagano at the Tokyo Dome, paying the highest respects to the Giants star who had accompanied fans for many years. This will be Nagano's first visit to Taiwan since his retirement. In addition to serving as the first pitch guest, he will also hold a signing session for close interaction with fans.

One of the highlights of this event is the first-ever gathering of three generations of the Yomiuri Giants' mascot family, the GIABBIT FAMILY, at the Intercontinental Stadium. Besides the familiar GIABBIT and Grandpa GIABBIT, the dance-savvy girl GIABBIT will also come to Taiwan for the first time to meet and interact with fans.

The Yomiuri Giants' cheerleading team, VENUS, will also return to the Intercontinental Stadium for a special opening dance performance in collaboration with the Passion Sisters. It is worth mentioning that SAYA, who was beloved by fans for her sweet smile and high energy during last year's Yomiuri Giants theme day, has officially joined the Passion Sisters this year as a guest performer. She will return to the Intercontinental Baseball Stadium with a dual identity and will also perform her first solo dance during the mid-fifth inning.

This theme day will also feature exclusive gate gifts. Fans in the infield hot zone (Sections C-F) will receive a "Siao-Siang × GIABBIT Partner Woven Bag," designed with the concept of two friends challenging side by side, to cherish the exclusive memories of the Intercontinental Stadium. All fans in the infield area will receive a limited edition "Advance to Intercontinental ~ Cheering Keychain," with six random designs, transforming the Yomiuri Giants' most iconic cheering towel into a portable accessory. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150608