Red Sox World Series Champ Koji Uehara Announces Retirement
By Scott Rogust
A key figure of the 2013 Boston Red Sox is hanging up his glove for good.
According to the latest reports, former MLB relief pitcher Koji Uehara announced his retirement from professional baseball on Sunday.
Uehara was a star in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, starting off with the Yomiuri Giants, where he won numerous awards as a starting pitcher.
Koji Uehara, a star starter who never wanted to be a reliever, but found success in that role, will announce his retirement today, according to @hochi_baseball.
— Jim Allen (@JballAllen) May 19, 2019
He would make his jump to Major League Baseball in 2009, signing with the Baltimore Orioles. Uehara was traded to the Texas Rangers two years later.
After signing with the Red Sox in 2013, his career would change forever, as the team transitioned him from a starter to their closer. The move would bring plenty of success that season, as he recorded 26 saves on a ridiculous 1.09 ERA.
That success continued in the postseason, as Uehara won the ALCS MVP after recording three saves, not surrendering a single run in five games. Uehara followed that up in the World Series, as he got the save an clinched the Commissioner's Trophy for the Red Sox.
Koji Uehara makes it official, he’s retiring from the great game of Baseball. Wish him nothing but the best to the Red Sox Ninja! #KojiTime ? pic.twitter.com/rac6QwbiKf
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) May 20, 2019
Uehara joined the Cubs in 2017 before returning to Japan in 2018.
After nearly 20 years in the game of baseball, Uehara has called it a career-- and he will forever be a part of Boston sports lore.