Yakult Ryota Igarashi retires from the press conference "I feel happy" October 15, 18:12

Pitcher Ryota Igarashi, who played an active role as a relief pitcher in professional baseball Yakult, held a retired press conference and talked about his feelings for ending his 23 years of active life, saying, "I am happy to realize that the world of professional baseball is so wonderful." It was.

23 years of active life

Pitcher Igarashi, 41, joined Yakult in 1998 and played in the major leagues after playing an active role as a middleman and restraint.

In 2013, he transferred to Softbank and returned to the Japanese baseball world. Last season, he returned to Yakult and achieved 900 games, the fourth in history in Japan and the United States.


This season, his 23rd year as a professional, he did not pitch in the 1st army and held a retired press conference at the baseball team office in Tokyo on the 15th.

Pitcher Igarashi in a dark blue suit attended the press conference with a refreshing look, saying, "It wasn't a flat road, but I was blessed with people and came here. I've dreamed of professional baseball since I was a kid. I am happy to realize that the world is so wonderful and to retire. "

Relief for all 905 games in Japan and the United States

This season, he was in the 2nd army and challenged the sidearm for the first time in his life, revealing that he was looking for a way to continue working until the end, "I continued to believe in my potential until the last minute, but the result When I looked back, I felt strongly that I should stop, "he said.



Pitcher Igarashi, who pitched in relief for all 905 games in Japan and the United States, said, "It's interesting that the pitcher is more likely to get news when he is hit. It is natural that he keeps holding down, which is the appeal of the pitcher. I think it's true. "

In a retirement match ...

The team is considering a retirement match, and pitcher Igarashi said, "I want to make the viewer think that I can still do it," and at the same time, I myself withdrew my retirement. I want to do it with the momentum to do it, "he said with a smile.