Kiyoshi Toyoda

Carp pitcher Kiyoshi Toyoda announced his retirement last week.  Toyoda began his career as a starting pitcher for the Seibu Lions in the mid-90's, then converted to relief in 2001, becoming one of the dominant relievers in the Pacific League for a couple years.  He moved to the Giants as a free agent for the 2006 season, then moved to the Carp for this season.  He retires in tenth place on the all time list for saves in NPB with 157.

He was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 1993 (fall 1992) draft.  His BBM rookie card was in the 1993 set (#392):

He made his first All Star team as a starting pitcher in 1997.  He would make the team four times as a relief pitcher from 2001 to 2004.  Here's his card from the 1997 BBM All Star set (#A20):

2001 Upper Deck #159:

He pitched in five Nippon Series overall - three for Seibu (1998, 2002 and 2004) and two for Yomiuri (2008 and 2009).  Here's his card from the BBM Nippon Series set for the one of the three that the Lions won with him - 2004 (#08):

Newcomer subset card from the 2006 BBM Giants set (#G079):

2011 BBM 1st Version card showing him with the Carp (#275):