FILE - Japan's starter Tomoyuki Sugano pitches against Cuba during the first inning of their second round game at the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, on March 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Toru Takahashi, File)

Yomiuri Giants Tomoyuki Sugano delivers his speech as he received Japan's Central League MVP in Tokyo Nov. 26, 2024. (Japan Pool/Kyodo News via AP)