Friends, I’d like to tell you that this season ended with another storybook run to a Nippon Series title a la 2010, but it’s not going to be.

Our Marines fought hard through so much this year, but ultimately they – we – lost the last two games to Rakuten in Sendai. That’s 2-0 on Saturday, and after a rainout on Sunday, an 8-5 loss to send Rakuten to the Nippon Series on Monday.

It’s tough to take.

I’m not ready to talk about the games in any detail at this point – perhaps in a few days – just know that the guys fought hard, and we cheered hard, and we gave our best.

There’s a lot going on this offseason – the draft is this week, fall camp in Kamogawa starts next month, free agency gets going soon as well. Heck, Spring Camp gets started in February, and that’s just a bit over 3 months away.

I just wasn’t ready for this season to end yet.

I do want to give a very big thanks to all of you that have read this blog this year and in previous years. I love Chiba Lotte and I especially love sharing my love of Chiba Lotte with everyone, so I hope you’ve enjoyed the season as much as I have.