One day after the Yokohama BayStars celebrated their first-ever Climax Series berth, pitcher Daisuke Miura, one of franchise's most beloved figures, announced he was bringing his 25-year professional career to an end at the conclusion of this season.
Dubbed Hama no Bancho (Boss of Yokohama) and known for his signature regent hairstyle, Miura, the oldest player in NPB at age 42, had resolved to leave the diamond when he could no longer post victories for the team and said now is the time.
"Retirement had been crossing my mind over the last few years," Miura said during a packed news conference held in the large ballroom of a Yokohama hotel. "While I've wanted to win more, I've decided that I'd quit if I could no longer start and deliver wins for the team."