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Baseball: Yakult outfielder Aoki to retire at season's end

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 13 Kyodo - Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2024, announcing his retirement from professional baseball at the end of the 2024 season. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows plays center field during the seventh inning of the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows hits a double during the sixth inning of the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows rounds first base after hitting a double during the sixth inning of the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows acknowledges the crowd during the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki (23) of the Yakult Swallows watches a video message from former Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki during his retirement ceremony following the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows bursts into tears during his retirement ceremony following the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki (facing camera) of the Yakult Swallows gives flowers to his family during his retirement ceremony following the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki (C) of the Yakult Swallows poses for a photo during his retirement ceremony following the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium, alongside pitcher Masanori Ishikawa and team mascot Tsubakuro.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki (R) of the Yakult Swallows acknowledges the crowd during his retirement ceremony following the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki (R) of the Yakult Swallows acknowledges the crowd after his retirement ceremony following the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki (L) of the Yakult Swallows hugs his son, who threw the ceremonial first pitch, prior to the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki (R) of the Yakult Swallows hugs infielder Munetaka Murakami after winning the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows is tossed into the air by teammates during his retirement ceremony following the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Ex-MLB outfielder Aoki retires

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows is tossed into the air by teammates during his retirement ceremony following the final game of his career against the Hiroshima Carp on Oct. 2, 2024, at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.

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Baseball: Yakult's outfielder Aoki to retire

Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki smiles with a celebrative board after marking the 2,500th hit of his combined career in Japan and the United States during a game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on May 26, 2021. Aoki announced on Sept. 13, 2024, that he will retire at the end of the season.

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Baseball: Yakult outfielder Aoki to retire at season's end

Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2024, announcing his retirement from professional baseball at the end of the 2024 season.

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Baseball: Yakult outfielder Aoki to retire at season's end

Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2024, announcing his retirement from professional baseball at the end of the 2024 season.

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Baseball: Yakult outfielder Aoki to retire at season's end

Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2024, announcing his retirement from professional baseball at the end of the 2024 season.

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Aoki signs on for WBC

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 21 Kyodo - Norichika Aoki, who joined the Houston Astros from the Seattle Mariners after the 2016 season, meets with reporters in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2016, after Japan added the outfielder to its roster for the World Baseball Classic in March 2017.

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Ex-SoftBank slugger Lee makes Seattle's opening day roster

ARLINGTON, Texas, April 3 Kyodo - South Korean slugger Lee Dae Ho (R) and Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki of the Seattle Mariners run during a practice session in Arlington, Texas on April 3, 2016. Lee, who formerly played in Japan with the SoftBank Hawks, was named the same day to the Mariners' 25-man roster for the opening day of the major league baseball season.

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Aoki inks 1-year, $4.7 million deal with Giants

TOKYO, Japan - Undated file photo shows outfielder Norichika Aoki. The San Francisco Giants announced Jan. 19, 2015, they have signed a one-year contract with Aoki, who played the previous season with Kansas City, which lost the World Series to the Giants in seven games.

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Aoki expresses his thanks to Royals fans

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals' Norichika Aoki expresses his gratitude to fans at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 30, 2014, the day after the team's loss to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series Game 7.

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Royals' Aoki recalls hectic season

KANSAS CITY, United States - Japan's Norichika Aoki (C) of the Kansas City Royals attends an event with teammates Yordano Ventura (L) and Omar Infante to give thanks to fans at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 30, 2014, the day after the team's loss to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series Game 7.

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World Series Game 7

KANSAS CITY, United States - Illustrator Hideshi Yokoyama, who is visiting the United States from Japan to support the Kansas City Royals, holds illustrations of outfielder Norichika Aoki (L) and infielder Eric Hosmer at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 29, 2014, ahead of Game 7 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants. The two teams had won three games apiece heading into the series' decisive Game 7.

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Royals crush Giants in World Series Game 6

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki smiles during an interview after the team beats the San Francisco Giants 10-0 in Game 6 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 28, 2014. With the victory, the Royals evened the series at 3-3.

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Royals crush Giants in World Series Game 6

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki (23) celebrates his first hit of the World Series in the second inning of Game 6 against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 28, 2014. The Royals won 10-0 to even the series at 3-3.

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Royals crush Giants in World Series Game 6

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki runs to first base after singling to left in the second inning of Game 6 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, making it a 2-0 game, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 28, 2014. The Royals won 10-0 to even the series at 3-3.

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Royals crush Giants in World Series Game 6

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki (23) singles to left against San Francisco Giants pitcher Jake Peavy in the second inning of Game 6 of the World Series, making it a 2-0 game, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 28, 2014. The Royals won 10-0 to even the series at 3-3.

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Royals crush Giants in World Series Game 6

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki singles to left in the second inning of Game 6 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, making it a 2-0 game, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 28, 2014. The Royals won 10-0 to even the series at 3-3.

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Royals crush Giants in World Series Game 6

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki runs to first base after singling to left in the second inning of Game 6 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, making it a 2-0 game, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 28, 2014. In the background is Royals manager Ned Yost celebrating. The Royals won 10-0 to even the series at 3-3.

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Royals crush Giants in World Series Game 6

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki singles to left in the second inning of Game 6 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, making it a 2-0 game, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 28, 2014. The Royals won 10-0 to even the series at 3-3.

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Royals crush Giants in World Series Game 6

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki singles to left in the second inning of Game 6 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, making it a 2-0 game, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 28, 2014. The Royals won 10-0 to even the series at 3-3.

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Aoki gets ready for World Series Game 3

SAN FRANCISCO, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki practices in San Francisco, the United States, on Oct. 23, 2014, prior to the World Series Game 3 against the San Francisco Giants the following day. After losing the opening game, the Royals evened the series at 1-1.

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Aoki gets ready for World Series Game 3

SAN FRANCISCO, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki practices in San Francisco, the United States, on Oct. 23, 2014, prior to the World Series Game 3 against the San Francisco Giants the following day. After losing the opening game, the Royals evened the series at 1-1.

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World Series Game 2

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki (23) flies to center in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, on Oct. 22, 2014. He ended 0-for-3 as he was pulled from the game at the end of the inning.

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World Series Game 2

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki flies to center in his first at-bat in the first inning of Game 2 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, on Oct. 22, 2014.

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Giants crush Royals in World Series Game 1

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki grounds into a double play in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, on Oct. 21, 2014. Aoki went 0-for-4 for the team, which lost 7-1.

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World Series starts in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki strikes out during the third inning of the first game of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants in Kansas City, the United States, on Oct. 21, 2014.

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World Series starts in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki (23) dashes out from the dugout for the opening ceremony of the first round of the World Series against San Francisco Giants in Kansas City, the United States, on Oct. 21, 2014.

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World Series starts in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki (23) dashes out from the dugout for the opening ceremony of the first round of the World Series against San Francisco Giants in Kansas City, the United States, on Oct. 21, 2014.

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Royals sweep into World Series

KANSAS CITY, United States - The Kansas City Royals' Norichika Aoki gets hit by a pitch from Baltimore Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez during the first inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Oct. 15, 2014. The Royals won 2-1 to advance to their first World Series in 29 years.

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Royals sweep into World Series

KANSAS CITY, United States - The Kansas City Royals' Norichika Aoki (R) celebrates with his teammates after scoring in the first inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Oct. 15, 2014. The Royals won 2-1 to advance to their first World Series in 29 years.

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Royals sweep into World Series

KANSAS CITY, United States - A fan of the Kansas City Royals holds a board with a message in Japanese, "Mr. Aoki, 'guts spirit'," to support Norichika Aoki on Oct. 15, 2014, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, during Game 4 against the Baltimore Orioles of the American League Championship Series. The Royals won 2-1 to advance to their first World Series in 29 years.

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Aoki responds to fans after Royals' win in AL Championship

KANSAS CITY, United States - Norichika Aoki acknowledges the cheers of the fans in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 15, 2014, after his Kansas City Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles to advance to the World Series.

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Royals sweep into World Series

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals' Norichika Aoki is kissed by a woman on Oct. 15, 2014, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, after the team beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. With the victory, the Royals advanced to their first World Series in 29 years.

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Royals sweep into World Series

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals' Norichika Aoki (R) celebrates with teammate Terrance Gore on Oct. 15, 2014, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, after beating the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. With the victory, the Royals advanced to their first World Series in 29 years.

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Royals' Aoki celebrates AL Championship victory with fans

KANSAS CITY, United States - The Kansas City Royals' Norichika Aoki throws an American League Champion commemorative T-shirt to fans at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 15, 2014. The Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 to advance to the World Series.

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Royals sweep into World Series

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals' Norichika Aoki (R) celebrates with fans on Oct. 15, 2014, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, after beating the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. With the victory, the Royals advanced to their first World Series in 29 years.

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Royals edge Orioles in Game 2 of ALCS

BALTIMORE, United States - Kansas City Royals' Norichika Aoki (L) is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a hit by Eric Hosmer during the first inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball championship series against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore on Oct. 11, 2014. The Royals won 6-4.