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49-year-old Japanese pitcher re-signs

November 7, 2014
Masahiro Yamamoto (Courtesy of Chunichi Dragons)

Masahiro Yamamoto (Courtesy of Chunichi Dragons)

Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chunichi Dragons re-signed 49-year-old starting pitcher Masahiro Yamamoto to a one year ¥40 million ($348,000) contract.

Yamamoto boasts a career 3.45 ERA with 219 wins and 2,308 strikeouts proving that his longevity also comes with reliability.

Despite the impressive numbers, the left hander only made three starting appearances last season resulting in a 1-1 record with a 4.50 ERA.

To put things into perspective, his best performance came in 1994 when he won 19 games with a 3.49 ERA, earning him the Sawamura award — the Japanese equivalent of Major League Baseball’s Cy Young Award.

If anything, the aging star is grateful for the opportunity to play into his fifties.

“I’m just glad they decided to sign a contract with a 50-year-old. I’m grateful I can play baseball for one more year,” said Yamamoto on his own official website.