YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) Yokohama BayStars outfielder Takanori Suzuki, who has been left out of the team's designs for next season, has decided to retire from baseball, team sources said Tuesday.
The 36-year-old Suzuki has been invited to remain in a coaching position with the club's farm team.
Suzuki, who at one point thought of playing for another team, said in the end he could only envision himself playing in a BayStars uniform.
"I have grown up in Yokohama since high school. It was hard to disregard my feelings for the team. I'd like to contribute to the team in a different way now," Suzuki said.