Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters infielder Atsunori Inaba said Tuesday he will retire at the end of the 2014 season, bringing an end to an illustrious 20-year career.
"I decided to put everything on the line for one year, but the condition of my knee just won't get any better. I made the decision when I realized that I couldn't hit anymore," Inaba said at a news conference at Sapporo Dome.
The 42-year-old underwent surgery on his left knee in mid-April and did not return to the top team until July this year.