Daisuke Matsuzaka brought his 23-year professional baseball career to a close Saturday in a ceremony that included a surprise appearance by Ichiro Suzuki.
Matsuzaka, who faced only one batter this season for the Saitama Seibu Lions -- issuing a walk in an October appearance -- told fans at Seibu's MetLife Dome that he was happy to leave the sport on his terms.
"I'm content that I was able to keep playing baseball until I could no longer throw normally in the end," Matsuzaka said, according to Kyodo News.
A video from Suzuki was played, ending with the longtime Seattle Mariners outfielder surprising Matsuzaka on the field and giving him a flower bouquet.