Masashi Yamamoto (baseball)

Masashi Yamamoto (山本 昌, Yamamoto Masashi, born August 11, 1965) is a former professional baseball pitcher from Japan. He played the majority of his career for the Chunichi Dragons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Yamamoto is best known for his longevity in the sport. He holds the record for the oldest pitcher to win a game in NPB, achieving this feat at the age of 49. He also pitched professionally until he was 50 years old.

Yamamoto was drafted by the Chunichi Dragons in the fifth round of the 1983 NPB draft. He made his debut in 1986 and primarily served as a reliever early in his career. He transitioned to a starting role and became a key member of the Dragons' pitching staff.

Throughout his career, Yamamoto utilized a variety of pitches, including a fastball, curveball, and slider. He was known for his control and his ability to effectively mix his pitches.

Yamamoto retired after the 2015 season. He finished his career with over 200 career wins and is considered one of the most respected and enduring pitchers in Japanese baseball history. He now works as a baseball commentator and analyst.