HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) Hiroshima Carp outfielder Koichi Ogata has decided to retire at the end of the season, the club said Thursday.
Ogata, now 40, led the Central League in stolen bases in 1995-97 and won five consecutive Golden Gloves from 1995.
Ogata frequently fought knee problems during his 22-year career, all with Hiroshima. He is a .282 career hitter with 241 homers, 725 RBIs and 268 stolen bases in 1,807 games.