NPB’s senior circuit: players in their 40s still grinding away
Baseball might be a young person's game for the most part, but there are still veterans hanging on in NPB, trying to contribute for as long as they can.
It’s hard to imagine Masanori Ishikawa, the pitcher for Tokyo Yakult Swallows, as anything but an ageless wonder. The left-hander has been playing in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for over two decades and at 46 years old, Ishikawa holds the distinction of being the oldest player in the league. However, this notion of eternal youth obscures the reality of Ishikawa’s recent performance.
During a game against the Yomiuri Giants at Jingu Stadium on Thursday night, Ishikawa was held responsible for six runs while only recording a single out in the top of the first inning. His fastball reached a disappointing 132 kph (82 mph), raising questions about whether a shoulder issue may have hindered his performance. Ishikawa’s remarkable longevity in the sport is evident, as he has started at least one game in each of his 25 consecutive seasons.
With this latest appearance, Ishikawa continues to showcase his ability to perform at a high level well into his 40s.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
