Professional baseball player Kenji Jōjima formerly of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks will hold a press conference today to officially announce his retirement. He has been suffering from knee and elbow troubles recently. In 1995 he was the number one draft pick and the Hawks, scouted by Oh Sadaharu, currently the chairman of the baseball club. He became known as strong player, with a strong shoulder, a hard hitter, and in 1997 he became a official catcher. In 1999, he helped the team to win the League champion. In 2005 as a free agent he joined the Mariners of the Major Leagues. He was the first Japanese catcher in Major Leagues. Otuskaresama! Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 9/28, http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/326420
