RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched against Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on 19th October and it was his last game. He started his career with the SEIBU Lions in Japan and then got a big contract with the Boston Redsox in the MLB. After Boston, he signed with the NY Mets and finally came back to Japan six years ago. In Japan, he played for the Softbank Hawks, Chunichi Dragons and the Seibu Lions again. He played a total of 14 years in the NPB and 8 years in the US Major Leagues. His career stats consist of 56 wins, 43 losses, ERA of 4.45 in the MLB and 114 wins, 65 losses and an ERA of 3.04 in the NPB. He contributed to the Japan Series Champion, SEIBU Lions, World Series Champion, Bosotn Redsox and the World Baseball Classic Champion ship on the Japanese National team. That's an amazing record.
Around 2011, he suffered a serious injury to a tendon in his pitching arm. He had to have the Tommy John Surgery, named for the pitcher who first had this operation. After his surgery, he lost speed and control. Plus, he got injured many times in his later years. However, I still remember his record and I have great memories of his career in the NPB and MLB. I'd like to say again “Thank you, Daisuke!”.
