NPB's oldest active player Masanori Ishikawa to retire from Yakult Swallows

Masanori Ishikawa, the 46 year old pitcher for the Yakult Swallows and the oldest active player in Nippon Professional Baseball, announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the current season. Ishikawa spent his entire professional career with the Swallows after debuting in 2002. Over 25 seasons, the left handed pitcher amassed 188 career wins and set a Japanese professional baseball record in April last year for winning a game in 24 consecutive seasons.

During a press conference in Tokyo, Ishikawa stated that he has no regrets and expressed his love for the game. His career highlights include being named the Central League's Rookie of the Year in 2002, winning the ERA title in 2008, and achieving double digit wins in a season 11 times. He is also tied for a record for getting a hit in 24 straight years as a pitcher.

Ishikawa's decision followed a difficult period marked by shoulder pain. In his only appearance this year on August 27 against the Yomiuri Giants, he lasted a third of an inning and allowed six runs. A close source indicated he partially dislocated his shoulder during that outing. Ishikawa noted that he had decided to retire if he could not get a win in that game, stating that the loss helped him make up his mind once he felt he could no longer hang in there mentally.