It was learned on the 8th that Orix Buffaloes Yoshihisa Hirano pitcher and pitcher coach Yoshikazu Hirano (42) will retire from playing at the end of this season. He has already conveyed his intentions, and the team respects the decision of the veteran player. His decision has been finally approved and is scheduled to be announced today, the 9th.

In 2023, he became the first player from Orix Buffaloes to be inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame, and his combined total of 250 saves and 200 hold in Japan and the U.S. is an unprecedented record. This legendary closer, whose career has followed a truly unique path, will bring his 18-year stint with Orix Buffaloes—and his 21-year professional baseball career—to a close.Sports Hochi looked back on his journey from childhood onward.

▼Born in Kyoto Prefecture on March 8, 1984

▼In 1992, he started baseball with the boys' baseball team "Ogura Littles," playing as a catcher and infielder.

▼In 1996, he switched to pitcher for the Kitauji Junior High School baseball team in Uji City, Kyoto.

▼In March 2000, he participated in the Spring Koshien tournament in Toba, Kyoto, and made a relief appearance in the semi-final against Tokai University Sagami.

▼In 2002, he enrolled at Kyoto Sangyo University. Over four years, he pitched in 56 league games, recording 36 wins and 11 losses, ERA 1.33, and 404 strike out. He was named MVP twice.

▼November 2005: Joined Orix Buffaloes through the university/corporate league draft.

▼March 26, 2006: He made his professional debut as a relief pitcher in the 8th inning of the second game of the season against Seibu Lions (Invoice Seibu Lions Dome = now Belluna Dome). He gave up hit single to pinch hitter Takagi Hiroshi and was removed from the game after only two pitches.

▼On the 30th of the same month, he made his professional debut as a starter against Rakuten Eagles (at Full Stadium Miyagi, now Rakuten Eagles Stadium). He pitched 6 runs innings and earned his first professional win

▼On April 6th, he pitched his first professional shutout game against Lotte (at Kyocera Dome).

▼March 27, 2008: Underwent surgery to remove loose cartilage from his right elbow at a hospital in Kobe. Did not pitch in the first team during the season.

▼In 2009, he made the starting rotation at the beginning of the season, but suffered from acid reflux and other issues, and was limited to just 3 wins.

▼10 years later, he was converted to a relief pitcher under the new manager Akinobu Okada's policy.

▼2011: He set a new Pacific League record at the time with 43 hold and 49 hold points, winning the Best reliever title.

▼January 2012: Married a non-celebrity woman and held a wedding ceremony.

▼In the same year, he switched to closer towards the end of the season.

▼2013: 31 saves, second in the league

▼On October 7, 2014, in a game against Rakuten Eagles (at Kobo Stadium, now Rakuten Mobile Park), he achieved a then-new Pacific League record of 40 saves, winning the title of most saves.

▼November 7th: He announced that he would not exercise his domestic free agency rights and would remain with the team on a three-year contract.

▼In 2015, he experienced a series of failed relief appearances, was converted reliever, and was even sent down to the minor leagues.

▼In 2016, he returned to the closer role midway through the season and recorded 31 saves, the second most in the league.

▼ March 2017: Participated in the 4th World Baseball Classic. Appeared in 6 games, tying for the most on the team.

▼On August 27th of the same year, he achieved his 150th career save in a game Seibu Lions (at MetLife Dome, now Belluna Dome).

▼On November 7th, he exercised his overseas free agency rights and announced his intention to challenge Major League Baseball in the United States. "I'm getting on in years. I thought if I was going to go, it would be my last chance," he said, expressing his determination.

▼On December 22nd of the same year, his signing with the Diamondbacks was officially confirmed on a two-year, $6 million contract (680 million yen at the exchange rate at the time). He expressed his gratitude, saying, "They were the first to offer me a contract."

▼March 29, 2018: Made his major league debut in the 7th inning against the Rockies (Chase Field). He pitched 1/3 of an inning, allowing only one hit and no runs. He contributed to win and said, "It was great to experience the atmosphere after a win."

▼In the same year, he recorded 26 consecutive scoreless runs from May to July. He later transitioned to a closer role.

▼May 29, 2019: Achieved 100 career major league appearances in a game against the Rockies (Coors Field).

▼January 30, 2020: Agreement reached with the Mariners on a one-year contract. number 6

▼That same year, the start of the season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he made 13 appearances, recording 4 saves.

▼On February 6, 2021, he announced his return Orix Buffaloes. He signed a one-year contract worth 150 million yen plus performance bonuses. He also got his beloved number 16.

▼On March 26th of the same year, he achieved his 700th career appearance in Japan and the US in a game against Seibu Lions (at MetLife Dome, now Belluna Dome).

▼On April 8th, he recorded his first save in NPB in 1286 days against Lotte (at ZOZO Marine Stadium).

▼On November 25th, he made his first series save in Game 5 of the Japan Series against Yakult (Tokyo Dome).

▼On April 26, 2022, he achieved his 200th career save Nippon-Ham (Tokyo Dome).

▼On June 2nd, he achieved his 200th career save in NPB during a game against DeNA (Yokohama).

▼On September 13th of the same year, he achieved his 150th hold in NPB during a game Rakuten Eagles (Rakuten Eagles Seimei Park, now Rakuten Eagles Stadium).

▼On October 2nd, win against Rakuten Eagles (Rakuten Eagles Seimei Park) and achieved their second consecutive league championship.

▼October 30th of the same year: Experienced his first ever national championship.

▼On December 7th of the same year, he signed a two-year contract with the team. "I want to focus on the number of games I pitch in."

▼On May 14, 2023, in a game against Softbank Hawks (Kyocera Dome), he achieved the first-ever 200 saves and 200 hold in his combined career in Japan and the US.

▼On October 2nd of the same year, in a game against Nippon-Ham US combined, becoming only the fourth player in history to do so. Reaching this milestone at 39 years and 6 months old made him the oldest player to do so. He thus met the requirements for induction into the Meikyukai (Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame).

▼On April 3, 2013, he achieved his 250th career save in NPB history in a game against Lotte (at ZOZO Marine Stadium), becoming only the fourth player in history to do so. "This is something we all created together. I want to say 'thank you' to everyone."

▼In October of the same year, it was decided that he would also serve as pitcher coach in his 21st year as a professional.

▼On March 29, 2014, in a game Rakuten Eagles (at Kyocera Dome), he achieved his 1000th career strike out becoming the 160th player in professional baseball to do so. This was also the first time in history that a player with 250 career saves achieved this feat.