Yomiuri Giants manager Tatsunori Hara wrapped an arm about Shinnosuke Abe, one of his longest-serving veterans, as they walked toward the left-field stands at Yokohama Stadium, where their fans were waiting to greet them with rapturous applause.

The pair, who have been through so many years and so many championships, found a way to share a quiet moment amongst the noise as the streamers the fans were dropping onto the field coated the area in front of the wall in a bright shade of orange.

Giants orange. Because it was a Giants night and, for the first time in a long time, a Giants season.