Yangdai Steel's retirement from the competition is full of surprises. Former comrade Yoshio Itoi appeared in Niigata to send blessings
Quick Look
- The 39-year-old famous Japanese player Yang Daikang held his retirement match today.
- Former Nippon Ham team comrade Yoshio Itoi made a surprise appearance in Niigata as a mysterious guest.
- He personally presented flowers to bless the old comrade, showing the deep friendship between the two for many years.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Yang Daiko and Yoshio Itoi have played together for many years in the Nippon Ham team. Both of them have won the Golden Glove Award and helped the team win the championship.
The 39-year-old famous player in Japan, Yang Dai, had his retirement match today. The retirement ceremony after the game was full of surprises. Yoshio Itoi, who used to play alongside Nippon Ham, served as a mysterious guest. He first appeared in the video to give blessings. Just when everyone thought he would not be there, Itoi appeared holding a bouquet to send blessings to his old comrades. He had just served as the kick-off guest of Rakuten Momozaru in Taiwan yesterday and rushed to Niigata to witness the important moment of Yang Dai's career.
Yodai Ko and Yoshio Itoi were once important players in the Ham outfield. The two played side by side in Hokkaido for many years. Itoi was famous for his amazing physical ability and "Muscle Superman" image, while Yoyo gradually established himself in the center field position. Both of them won the Gold Glove Award for their excellent fielding ability, and together they helped Ham win the 2012 Pacific League Championship.
The good friendship between the two continues to this day. When Yang Dai Steel recently announced that he would retire after this season, Itoi sent his blessings on his personal community, writing: "Thank you for your hard work! DK (Yang Dai Steel). When we were young, we really practiced a lot together. No matter where we go, I always regard DK as my brother. There is still a great future waiting for you! See you again!"
Itoi has also had a close relationship with Taiwan recently. The Taoyuan City Government recently announced that he would be invited to serve as the international exchange ambassador for the "115th National Games". Yesterday, he was invited to be the kick-off guest at Taoyuan's home game. After completing his trip to Taiwan, he immediately went to Japan. Today, he appeared in Niigata to attend the retirement ceremony of Yangdai Steel.
Itoi moved to Orix through a trade in 2013, and then played for Hanshin, ending his playing career in 2022. Yodai Steel played for Ham until 2016, then moved to the Giants, the American Independent League, and then returned to Japan to join Oisix Niigata. After leaving Ham, the two continued their careers on different stages. Now Itoi, who once said that "I have always regarded DK as my brother", specially rushed from Taiwan to Niigata to reunite with his former comrades in the Yangdai Steel career retirement game.
