On the 1st, Orix outfielder Kodai Sano officially announced his retirement at the end of this season. He attended the players' association end-of-year party held in Hyogo Prefecture that day and announced his retirement to his teammates. "Ever since I was told I was fired, I haven't felt like playing baseball... I don't think I'll get any results if I play half-heartedly, so I've decided to put an end to it," he said, revealing that he made the decision within the past week.
He joined the team as pitcher in the 2014 draft as the third pick from Oita High School, and switched to fielder during the offseason of 2017. After not appearing in any first-team games this season, he was notified in October that he was no longer needed and ultimately decided to retire. Looking back on his 11 years with the NPB, he proudly said, "I'm really grateful that I was able to experience three consecutive championships and becoming the best in Japan, and I was able to do things that I couldn't do before. I think I can use the experiences I gained from trying various things in the future."
In a total of 342 games, he had a batting average of 10.9 and 9%, 5 Home Run, 26 RBI, and 50 stolen base. Born on September 2nd of the same year, he was expected to be a outfielder of quick foot and skill, and in 20 years, when he inherited Hiroyuki Kose's number "41" who died at the young age of 24 in 10, he recorded 20 stolen base, the most of his career. "I also wore it because I wanted to wear (number 41). I hope that various players will wear it and bring it to a good number," he said, placing his hopes on Kendai Takasaki and Tatsuki Sato, who were the third pick in the draft to carry the same number pitcher
He plans to remain with the team as a staff member. "Most importantly, I met my teammates and staff through these experiences, and I didn't want to leave them. They've taken care of me, so I want to repay them," he said, promising to contribute.
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・ [Orix] Kodai Sano retires from active play. "I did my best in my own way," he said, referring to himself as the older brother of Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
・ [Orix] Kodai Sano to graduate from rehabilitation group "I can return to being a normal baseball player" after undergoing right ankle surgery in June last year
・ [Tryout] Hiroshima's Tatsuya Yamaashi announces retirement after "contributing" to Yoshinobu Yamamoto's second consecutive no-hitter
・ [Orix] Kodai Sano and five other players are released from the team. Ryota Muranishi retires from active play Hitomi Honda and Kendai Moto will be offered development contracts.
