Takuma Hayashi of the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars Receives the 2025 Rodeo Drive New Hero Award

RK Enterprises, Inc. (Headquarters: 3-104 Horai-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President: Toshio Sawada; hereinafter referred to as "the Company") presented the "2025 Rodeo Drive New Hero Award" to Takuma Hayashi of the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars at Yokohama Stadium on Monday, December 15, 2025. The award was presented to Takuma Hayashi of the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars at Yokohama Stadium.

Takuma Hayashi receiving the 2025 Rodeo Drive New Hero Award

About the Rodeo Drive New Hero Award

This award is presented to a young player recommended by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars who has attracted particular attention, and has been presented annually since 2019. This year marks the seventh time the award has been presented, with previous recipients including Keita Sano (2019), Hiromu Ise (2020), Shugo Maki (2021), Daisei Irie (2022), Yudai Yamamoto (2023), and Akira Kajiwara (2024).

Past winners include Keita Sano, who won the top batting title as the team's leadoff hitter; Hiromu Ise, who grew as a relief ace and played a key role in the winning formula; Shugo Maki, who became the captain and led the team as a key player; Daisei Irie, who played an active role as the closer; Yuta Yamamoto, who became the regular catcher and won the Best Nine; and Akira Kajiwara. The award is a "gateway to success for future stars," and there are high expectations for Hayashi's future.

Hayashi shows a serious expression at the award ceremony.

Takuma Hayashi (infielder), recipient of the 2025 award

Takuma Hayashi, 25, was selected as this year's recipient. Yuji Iwafune and Kazunari Nakayama, Executive Vice Presidents of the Company, presented him with a certificate of merit and a Rolex Submariner as a complimentary gift.

Mr. Hayashi receiving his Rolex Submariner as a complimentary gift

Hayashi adjusting his prize-winning watch

Interview with the award-winning athlete

--Please tell us how you feel about receiving the award.

I had heard about this award because Mr. Kajiwara won it last year, and it was talked about within the team. I never thought I would receive it, so I am very grateful.

--What are your goals for next season?

My goal is to play in 143 games. One of my goals is to reach the regulation batting average, and in terms of hitting, I would like to get 100 hits, and in terms of base running, I would like to steal 30 bases. On the defensive side, I am currently preparing to play shortstop, and I would like to further improve my defensive accuracy so that I can win the Golden Glove Award as an individual. Encouraged by this award, I will do my best to show you how I have grown even more next season."

Hayashi is a young infielder who was drafted third overall in the 2022 draft and contributes to the team with his agility and defensive abilities.

□Main results for the 2025 season:

Games played : 95

Batting average：.244

Hits：63

Runs batted in：20

Home runs ：2

Stolen bases ：11

Runs scored ：35

May 9, 1985: His first professional game as a professional baseball player

In the bottom of the 10th inning, Hayashi, who had entered the game as a substitute runner, hit a dramatic, timely double to lead the team to victory. During his hero interview, Hayashi shed tears as he thanked his family for coming to watch the game, which touched the hearts of many fans.

Contribution to the team's defense

He was used at all infield positions except first base, and supported the team with his wide range of defense and speedy play. His fine plays, especially in critical situations, directly contributed to the team's victory. Throughout the season, he maintained his "aggressive running" and "aggressive attitude" style of play, and succeeded in improving his on-base percentage. He also showed growth in his pitch selection, including an increase in the number of for-balls.

Comment from Executive Vice President of RK Enterprises, Inc.

Yuji Iwafune, Executive Vice President

Hayashi has been playing very well this season, hitting for the first time in his professional career and showing great performance both offensively and defensively. In particular, his grand slam in a game against Hiroshima in May was a famous moment that touched the hearts of many fans. In addition, when he was given the opportunity to play second base due to Maki's absence, he took the situation in stride, and even with limited chances, he produced solid results and lived up to the expectations of the team and the fans. His all-out play, which is typical of a young player, and his competitive spirit to lead his team to victory at the critical moment are truly worthy of the name "New Hero.

We sincerely hope that Hayashi will continue to play an active role without injury, and we will continue to support the Yokohama DeNA BayStars as they aim for their first league championship in 28 years.

From left: Yuji Iwafune, Executive Vice President Takuma Hayashi, Yokohama DeNA BayStars Kazunari Nakayama, Executive Vice President

About our support activities for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars

Since our establishment in 1954, we have been headquartered in Yokohama and have worked together with the local community. With our head office and store in Kannai, within walking distance of the Yokohama Stadium, our support of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, a local professional baseball team, is an important pillar of our contribution to the community.

Major support activities:

2014- Started to post advertisements on the first and third base bench seats at Yokohama Stadium.

2019- "Rodeo Drive New Hero Award" will be held annually (7th time this year)

September 2022: Opened Rodeo Drive Yokohama Kannai Store, a one-minute walk from the north exit of JR Kannai Station

April 2023: Sponsor games Held "Rodeo Drive Thanks Night" games to express gratitude to fans

Store decoration during the season Special window wrapping in support of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars

As a company rooted in Kannai, we will continue to support the baseball team and its fans and contribute to the revitalization of the community.

Yokohama Stadium First and third base bench seat advertisement

Sponsorship of the "Rodeo Drive Thanks Night" game *This event will be held in 2023.

Rodeo Drive

The first store opened in 1989 on Motomachi Shopping Street. It operates four stores in the Yokohama area: Motomachi Main Store, Yokohama Kannai Store, Sogo Yokohama Purchase Salon, and THE YOKOHAMA FRONT. In recent years, the company has been working to expand its business area and increase recognition in the Tokyo area, and in November 2025, opened the "kaitori salon Azabujuban". Shinjuku Kabukicho Store, Purchase Salon Shibuya, and two stores in the Ginza area, Purchase Salon Ginza, which specializes in purchase, and Rodeo Drive Ginza, which conducts both sales and purchase, for a total of five stores in Tokyo. In addition, overseas, the company operates the Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui store, for a total of 10 stores.

R.K. Enterprises Inc.

As a member of the local community of Yokohama, RK Enterprises, Inc. has been working together with local residents on measures that contribute to the maintenance and development of healthy and vibrant lifestyles. We have been rooted in Yokohama for more than 70 years since 1954, and have continued to grow together with our head office in Kannai, Yokohama, fulfilling our social responsibility to continue our business until now. Furthermore, by cooperating and participating in the revitalization project of the old city area of Yokohama, we will work to develop commerce and tourism, expand the vibrant living area through cooperation with the surrounding community, and maintain and develop a green garden city full of greenery and a historic maritime city where people can live safely and securely.

<Company Profile

Company name: RK Enterprises, Inc.

Location: RK Central Building, 3-104 Horai-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Representative: Toshio Sawada, President and Representative Director

Establishment : April 1, 1954

Business : Retail business, pawnshop business

　　　　　　 Repair business, overseas business

　　　　　　 Purchase business, wholesale business

　　　　　　 Auction business

URL : https://www.rk-enterprise.jp/

＜Related Links

Rodeo Drive Store Information

https://www.rodeodrive.co.jp/shop/store/list.aspx

Rodeo Drive Online Shop

https://www.rodeodrive.co.jp/shop/

Rodeo Drive Repair

https://repair.rodeodrive.co.jp/