Itoi Announces Retirement

Source: Tigers Official

Outfielder Yoshio Itoi announced his retirement on Tuesday morning after 19 seasons of professional baseball. Originally drafted as a pitcher by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2003, Itoi won multiple Golden Gloves, a batting title, a stolen base title, and played in many all-star games as well. He spent four seasons with the Orix Buffaloes (2013-16) before joining the Tigers in 2017 as a free agent. Here is a short transcript of his press conference, held on September 13 at a hotel in Nishinomiya, Hyogo.

Itoi: I would like to take this moment to announce my retirement from professional baseball. Thank you for everything so far.

― How do you feel now that you have reached this decision?

I gave it my all. I was so happy to be able to play until age 41. I am thankful to the Hanshin Tigers organization for giving me the chance to play this long.

― Talk about how you reached this decision.

I have had the word “retirement” on my mind for the past 2-3 years now. I mean, my numbers have dropped but it’s more than that – it’s how I felt in the batter’s box, and the gap between what the fans thought I was capable of doing and what I was actually doing. Also, I was starting to feel like maybe I was interfering with the growth and playing chances of the younger players on the farm. When they came to me for advice and then I would see them hitting a home run in their next at-bat, I was as happy for them as though it had happened to me. And when I felt that joy for them, I realized that I am not a competitive athlete anymore.

― What did manager Yano say to you upon hearing your decision?

“I was so happy to be able to share moments of joy and pain with you over the past four years. You ended up in a pinch-hitting role a lot but you did not let that slow you down,” he said as he looked like he might cry.

― What feelings do you have about your 19-year career?

It felt long at times but it was really quite short. I’ve been through a lot since I went pro. I started as a pitcher but moved to the outfield. That became the foundation of my career. The desperation with which I practiced became the foundation of my 19-year career, in my opinion.

― You put up some outstanding numbers in the Pacific League – what kind of memories do you have of those years?

The Fighters believed in me and that I could make it as a fielder, and I did all I could to respond to their faith. I had great mentors on the team, and I worked so hard to play the game as well as they did, if not better. Then I got traded to Orix, and they used me as a regular player the whole time, which gave me the motivation to play up to the standard they expected from me. I won some individual titles with those teams, and I have nothing but thanks and appreciation for them.

― Then in 2017, you joined the Tigers’ organization. How do you feel about those six seasons?

Coming over from the Pacific League, I was overwhelmed by the passion of the fans here. That first game at Koshien had my heart beating out of my chest. I really felt a fire burning inside of me as I played for the Tigers after all those years in the Pacific League. I am so happy to have played there (Koshien) and to be able to end my career here.

― Do you have any particular game that stands out as you reflect on your career?

There were a lot of memorable games like when I was part of the World Baseball Classic, but I’ll never forget the excitement I felt when I played that first game for the Tigers at Koshien.

― Finally, give a message to your fans.

I was so happy to have been so warmly welcomed and accepted by the Tigers fans. It was such a joy to play in front of such loud fans, and I am so appreciative of them. Thanks for the support over the past 19 seasons. I hope to join you all in the crowd at Koshien with megaphone bats in my hands.