Hiroshima Carp infielder Takuro Ishii, who is 11th on Japan's career hits list, announced at a press conference on Monday that he will retire at the end of this season.
The 42-year-old, who is in his 24th season since turning pro with Yokohama as an undrafted pitcher out of Tochigi Prefecture's Ashikaga Industrial High School, has 2,430 hits. The left-handed hitter was released by the BayStars in December 2008, and signed with Hiroshima.
"In my heart, I know that my days as a player have long been over," said Ishii, who won five Central League Best IX awards and four stolen base titles. "I don't want to be getting in the way among all these young players who are producing. In my heart, I am satisfied."