Baseball: Ex-Samurai Japan slugger Nakata to retire at end of season
The 36-year-old from Hiroshima has 309 home runs in his career but has struggled since leaving the Yomiuri Giants in 2023 to join the Central League-rival Chunichi Dragons due to lower back pain.
"Baseball has been my treasure. I'm happy to have worn the uniforms of Nippon Ham, Yomiuri and Chunichi, the three teams I love," Nakata told a press conference, revealing he had made the decision around a month ago.
"My emotions and body began not to match. I can't cause any more trouble for the team."
After starring as a two-way talent for Osaka Toin High School, Nakata joined the Fighters as a first-round draft pick in 2008. He helped the team to three PL pennants as well as a Japan Series title in 2016 when he and current Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani batted in the heart of the order.
Nakata played for Japan at the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics, starring in the latter when the team lost in the semifinals.
After leading the PL with RBIs in 2014, 2016 and 2020, he was suspended from playing by the Fighters in Aug. 2021 for violent conduct against a teammate and moved to Yomiuri.
The five-time Best Nine and Golden Glove winner has 1,579 hits and 1,087 RBIs in 1,783 games, batting .248. He has two home runs and four RBIs from 25 games this year in his 18th professional season.
"I've almost begun to dislike baseball these past few years. I want to come to love baseball again before taking off my uniform," he said.
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