SoftBank's Kondo misses batting title, ends season at .309 with 32 homers
In short
SoftBank Hawks infielder Kondo Kensuke failed to overtake Nippon Ham's Reyes for the Pacific League batting title on the final day of the regular season, going 0-for-2 against Rakuten on Oct 5 after needing three or more hits. He finished at .309 with career-high totals of 32 home runs and 108 RBIs, and the league's top on-base percentage of .431. Teammate Shuto secured the stolen base title for a fourth straight year, while SoftBank ended the season with 91 wins.
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SoftBank Hawks infielder Kondo Kensuke finished the regular season without the Pacific League batting title. He needed at least three hits in the Oct 5 game against Rakuten to overtake Nippon Ham's Reyes, whom he trailed by 3厘 before the game, Nippon TV News reported. He went 0-for-2, striking out swinging and flying out, and a pinch hitter was sent in for him in the fifth inning, ending his season. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
He finished with a .309 batting average, 32 home runs and 108 RBIs, both career highs, and an on-base percentage of .431 that Mynavi News said was the best in the league and made a title likely. Manager Kokubo said, according to Nishi-Nippon Shimbun: “He did take on the challenge. Those are fine numbers, aren't they?” [ 4 , 5 ]
Speaking on Fuji TV ONE's “Pro Baseball News 2026” programme, former player Saito Masaki said of Kondo: “There is only one word for it: amazing. I think he is the best hitter there is.” Saito added that Kondo unusually swung at pitches out of the strike zone in the game, which he suggested explained the lack of early hits. Former player Tsuji Hatsuhiko said Kondo could arguably be considered a triple-crown candidate, citing his on-base percentage. [ 4 ]
The same day, teammate Shuto stole second base in the first inning to secure his fourth consecutive and fifth overall stolen base title, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. Kokubo said: “The way he finishes it off cleanly is just as you would expect.” [ 5 ]
SoftBank finished the season with 91 wins, a surplus of 42 games over .500, and a lead of more than 10 games over second-placed Seibu and third-placed Nippon Ham. Under new rules the team will start the Climax Series final stage with a two-win advantage, and Kokubo said the period would be “a good time to prepare”. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
The batting-title race decided one of the Pacific League's individual honours on the final day and leaves Kondo with statistical achievements but no average crown, as reported by the outlets covering the team. SoftBank now turns to the Climax Series final stage, where the documents say new rules give it a two-win advantage.
Key facts
- Kondo Kensuke needed three or more hits in the final regular-season game against Rakuten to overtake Nippon Ham's Reyes for the batting title. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Kondo went 0-for-2 and was replaced by a pinch hitter in the fifth inning, ending his regular season. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- He finished the season with a .309 batting average, 32 home runs and 108 RBIs, both career highs. [ 4 , 5 ]
- His on-base percentage of .431 was the best in the league, according to Mynavi News. [ 4 ]
- Shuto stole second base in the first inning to secure his fourth consecutive and fifth overall stolen base title. [ 5 ]
- SoftBank finished with 91 wins and a lead of more than 10 games over second-placed Seibu and third-placed Nippon Ham. [ 5 ]
- In the Climax Series final stage, the team will be given a two-win advantage under new rules. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Kondo did not win the batting title, going hitless in two at-bats in the Oct 5 game against Rakuten. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Kondo ended the regular season with a .309 average, 32 home runs and 108 RBIs. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Before the final game, Kondo trailed Reyes by 3厘 and needed at least three hits to pass him. [ 2 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Reyes' final batting average and the final margin between him and Kondo. The documents give the 3厘 gap only before the final game and do not state the final averages.
- Whether Kondo formally secures the on-base percentage title. Mynavi News reports a title is likely (“濃厚”), not confirmed.
- Where the Oct 5 game against Rakuten was played. None of the documents state the venue or city.
- Shuto's stolen base title. Only one document reports it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nippon TV News reports Kondo repeatedly hit himself with batted balls while chasing the batting title, with manager Kokubo watching with concern from the bench. [ 1 ]
- Nippon TV News reports Kondo needs at least three hits in the final game to overtake Nippon Ham's Reyes, whom he trails by 3厘. [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV News reports Kondo was replaced after two plate appearances, striking out swinging and flying out, as the regular season ends. [ 3 ]
- Mynavi News reports Kondo went 0-for-2 against Rakuten, was pinch-hit for in the fifth inning, and finished at .309 with 32 home runs and 108 RBIs. [ 4 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports Kondo missed the batting title, Shuto secured the stolen base title, and SoftBank finished with 91 wins. [ 5 ]