September 22, 2016 at 1:31 am by Gen
Categories: NPB
Tags: Orix Buffaloes, Retirement
Player Pages: Komatsu, Satoshi
Satoshi Komatsu is planning to retire. A press conference is scheduled for September 22.
Source: Sponichi 9/22/2016, Daily Sports 9/22/2016, Nikkan Sports 9/22/2016
[UPDATE 9/22 @ 4:01pm]
Komatsu held a press conference at Kyocera Dome earlier today and formally announced his decision to retire.
A few notes from various reports:
- he felt there was no reason to continue if he was not going to be able to pitch at the Ichi-gun level.
- he is grateful for the career he had and appreciates all the support he received over the years, even though he only really had one good year (2008).
- he will most likely remain in the organization. His job title has not yet been decided.
- a retirement ceremony will be held on September 29 (against Rakuten at Kyocera Dome).
- he joined the Orix organization through the 2006 draft, won the Rookie of the Year in 2008 with a 15-3 record, and made the World Baseball Classic roster in 2009. Since recording his last win on September 3, 2012, he has gone 0-2 with a 4.44 ERA in fifty Ichi-gun games. He went 25-26 in 158 games and recorded a 4.36 ERA over his career.
Source: Daily Sports 9/22/2016, Sponichi 9/22/2016, Nikkan Sports 9/22/2016
[UPDATE 9/26 @ 6:15pm]
The Ni-gun Buffaloes held a “surprise” retirement ceremony for Komatsu after their game against Hiroshima on September 25. He was tossed into the air ten times.
Source: Sponichi 9/25/2016
[UPDATE 9/30 @ 2:02am]
The Buffaloes held a retirement ceremony for Komatsu on September 29. He was tossed into the air eight times.
Source: Sponichi 9/29/2016