For many American players, Japan is the last stop in their professional baseball careers.
True, some go back to play in the major leagues, the minors or independent leagues in North America, and others move on to South Korea or Taiwan. For a good number, though, when they are done in Japan, they are finished. It is time to head home and go to work in dad's construction business.
One individual, however-and this must be a record-played 18 seasons in the big leagues after his one year in the Japanese leagues. Matt Stairs announced his retirement from the game last week after having been released by the Washington Nationals at the age of 43.