kept the number open for him

大リーグのヤンキースをフリーエージェント（ＦＡ）となった黒田博樹投手が広島カープと来季の契約を結ぶと発表しました。専大出身の黒田の広島への復帰は８年ぶりで、決断の背景には広島側の彼に対する温かなサポートがあったといわれています。

Hiroki Kuroda to return to Japan

Hiroki Kuroda is returning to Japan to pitch for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, an official with knowledge of the move told ESPNNewYork.com, confirming Japanese media reports.

The free-agent right-hander reunites with his first professional team, reportedly on a one-year contract worth $3.3 million.

Kuroda pitched for Hiroshima from 1997 to 2007 before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2008 season. He spent four years with the Dodgers before moving to the New York Yankees.

Kuroda, who will turn 40 in February, went 11-9 with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts last season, his third with the Yankees.

The Japanese broadcaster NHK and other reports said Saturday that Kuroda will wear No. 15, the same number he wore when he last pitched for the Carp. Hiroshima kept the number open for him during his time in the major leagues, where he wore 18.

Kuroda was perhaps the most durable starter in the Yankees rotation the past three seasons. He worked 199 innings in 2014 after exceeding 200 in his first two seasons with New York and the final season with the Dodgers.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees

7年前に黒田投手が米国に渡る前、広島カープは、同投手が１１年間付けた背番号「１５」を「半永久欠番」としたことに決断の一要因があったと言われます。keep the numer open for him、広島の彼への思いが凝縮されている表現です。カープ女子にはたまらない球春となりますね。（野球小僧）