Yoshihiro Ito (baseball)

Yoshihiro Ito (伊藤 義弘) (born October 29, 1982, in Yao, Osaka, Japan) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played primarily for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2007 to 2018.

Ito was drafted by the Hanshin Tigers in the 2006 university/adult draft as their first-round pick. He quickly established himself as a key member of the Tigers' bullpen, known for his sidearm delivery and deceptive pitching style. He was often deployed in high-leverage situations, including as a setup man and closer.

Throughout his career, Ito was recognized for his durability and consistency. He frequently appeared in a significant number of games each season, contributing to the Tigers' pitching staff. While his statistics fluctuated year to year, he consistently posted respectable earned run averages (ERAs) and strikeout numbers.

Following the 2018 season, Ito announced his retirement from professional baseball. He remained involved in the sport after retirement, working in various roles including coaching and broadcasting.