Ex-Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda to retire

So, why not say "Carp Pitcher Kuroda" instead of "ex-Yankees pitcher..."? That is, if they are of the same talent, as some purport here.

A consummate pro!

"His decision to come back, apparently to conclude his career with the Hiroshima Carp,...."

Kuroda had stated his intention to finish his career in NPB long before he signed with the Carp for 2015. It was not a surprise at all.

And while he signed for the equivalent of $3.3 million for 2015, he was paid nearly $5 million this year, the highest in NPB for 2016. MLB and NPB are vastly different in terms of overall revenue generated each year, so of course many big leaguers get paid better.

Kuroda has a combined 203 wins and 2457 strikeouts between MLB and NPB, which qualifies him for the Meikyukai and will probably get him in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame down the road.

He's had a great career and I hope he leads the Carp to victory in the Japan Series.