Sports › Jojima expresses gratitude to Mariners, but admits frustration

Thursday 22nd October, 03:25 PM JST SEATTLE — Kenji Jojima said Wednesday he was ‘‘profoundly grateful’’ to the Seattle Mariners for his four years with the club, but admitted the frustration of limited playing time over the past two seasons was a factor in him opting out of the final two years of his three-year, $24 million contract to return to Japan. ‘‘These past two years have been frustrating and I felt like I had to make this decision now,’’ Jojima said in a telephone interview. ‘‘I am profoundly grateful to the Mariners for making me the first Japanese-born catcher (in the major leagues). I have played in a wonderful baseball environment for four years,’’ said the 33-year-old. ‘‘I was blessed with great staff around me and have learned a lot from playing with... [read full story]                    

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