Makoto Kaneko (金子 誠, born November 8, 1975) is a Japanese professional baseball player and manager. He is an infielder…
Makoto Kaneko (金子 誠, born November 8, 1975) is a Japanese professional baseball player and manager. He is an infielder for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Kaneko won the Pacific League rookie of the year award in 1996. He won two golden glove awards at second base before being converted to shortstop. He joined the Japanese olympic baseball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics, and won a bronze medal.
Japanese people database × places of origin
Famous Japanese People: Baseball
Baseball: 1,745 people
Fumikazu Takanami (高波 文一, Takanami Fumikazu; born November 3, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball…
Fumikazu Takanami (高波 文一, Takanami Fumikazu; born November 3, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder, and current third squad outfield defense and base running coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Hanshin Tigers, Seibu Lions, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and Orix Buffaloes.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Kazuo Matsui (松井 稼頭央, Matsui Kazuo; born October 23, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball player who played…
Kazuo Matsui (松井 稼頭央, Matsui Kazuo; born October 23, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball player who played as a shortstop and is a former manager of the Saitama Seibu Lions. He is a switch-hitter. Matsui signed with the New York Mets on December 17, 2003, becoming the first Japanese infielder to sign with a Major League Baseball team.
Taeko Ishikawa (石川 多映子, Ishikawa Taeko) (born October 14, 1975) is a Japanese softball player who played as a pitcher.…
Taeko Ishikawa (石川 多映子, Ishikawa Taeko) (born October 14, 1975) is a Japanese softball player who played as a pitcher. She won the silver medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Takashi Tachikawa (立川 隆史, Tachikawa Takashi; born October 7, 1975 in Shinjuku, Tokyo) is a Japanese former baseball…
Takashi Tachikawa (立川 隆史, Tachikawa Takashi; born October 7, 1975 in Shinjuku, Tokyo) is a Japanese former baseball outfielder in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Chiba Lotte Marines (1996–2004) and the Hanshin Tigers (2004). Prior to playing professionally, he attended Takudai Koryo High School and before playing in NPB, he played for the Visalia Oaks of the California League in 1995, hitting .176 in 47 games. The Oaks were a Single-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's California Angels. Tachikawa joined the Marines in 1996, hitting .172 in 29 at-bats. The following year, he hit .274 (a career-high) with a career-high seven home runs, six stolen bases and .401 slugging percentage in 252 at-bats and in 1998, he hit .216 in 153 ABs, setting a career-high in triples with three. He hit .136 in 22 at-bats in 1999 and in 2000, he hit .244 in 160 at-bats. After hitting .250 in 92 at-bats in 2001 (with a career-high .361 on-base percentage and .742 OPS), Tachikawa hit .238 in 269 ABs in 2002. He had the most playing time of his career in 2003, hitting .240, setting career highs in RBI (31), total bases (111), games played (94), at-bats (292), plate appearances (332), runs (34), hits (70), doubles (14), walks (29) and strikeouts (72). He tied previously set career highs in home runs and triples. He began 2004, with the Marines, but hit only .094 in 32 at-bats. The Marines cut ties with him and he finished out the year with Hanshin, hitting .171 in 35 ABs there. In total, he hit .136 in 67 at-bats his final campaign. Overall, Tachikawa hit .236 with 28 home runs, 117 RBI and 315 hits in 530 games over nine seasons.
🏫 Takushoku University Koryo High School📅 Born October 7🎂 Born 1975📍 From Chiba(city), Chiba Prefecture💼 Baseball💼 Boxer
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Masashi Date (伊達 昌司, Date Masashi; born 23 August 1975) is a former baseball player for Japan. He initially played for…
Masashi Date (伊達 昌司, Date Masashi; born 23 August 1975) is a former baseball player for Japan. He initially played for the Hanshin Tigers in the Central League.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Tomohiro Nagai (永井 智浩, Nagai Tomohiro; born August 11, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and…
Tomohiro Nagai (永井 智浩, Nagai Tomohiro; born August 11, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current Executive officer (General Manager of Organization and Training division) and General Manager of Scouting department for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. His nephew is Ryuta Heinai, who currently plays for the Yomiuri Giants.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Yoshikazu Kura (倉 義和, Kura Yoshikazu; born July 27, 1975 in Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball…
Yoshikazu Kura (倉 義和, Kura Yoshikazu; born July 27, 1975 in Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays catcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
🎓 Kyoto Sangyo University🏫 Kyoto Seisho High School📅 Born July 27🎂 Born 1975📍 From Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Hiroshi Tsukamoto (塚本 洋, Tsukamoto Hiroshi; born July 15, 1975 in Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese conditioning coach for…
Hiroshi Tsukamoto (塚本 洋, Tsukamoto Hiroshi; born July 15, 1975 in Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese conditioning coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
🎓 Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences🏫 Seibudai Chiba High School📅 Born July 14🎂 Born 1975📍 From Saitama Prefecture💼 Trainer💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Kenshin Kawakami (川上 憲伸) (born June 22, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon…
Kenshin Kawakami (川上 憲伸) (born June 22, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons and in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves.
🎓 Meiji University🏫 Tokushima Commercial High School📅 Born June 22🎂 Born 1975📍 From Tokushima(city), Tokushima Prefecture💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗Chinese (zh) ↗Korean (ko) ↗Spanish (es) ↗French (fr) ↗German (de) ↗
Tomotaka Tamaki (玉木 朋孝, Tamaki Tomotaka; born June 13, 1975 in Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a former professional Japanese…
Tomotaka Tamaki (玉木 朋孝, Tamaki Tomotaka; born June 13, 1975 in Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a former professional Japanese baseball player.
Daisuke Hayakawa (早川 大輔, Hayakawa Daisuke; born June 3, 1975) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was the…
Daisuke Hayakawa (早川 大輔, Hayakawa Daisuke; born June 3, 1975) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was the number 5 draft pick for the Orix BlueWave in 2002.
🎓 Rikkyo University🏫 Funabashi High School📅 Born June 3🎂 Born 1975📍 From Itami, Hyogo Prefecture💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Shintaro Yoshitake (吉武 真太郎, Yoshitake Shintaro; born June 3, 1975 in Higashikunisaki District, Ōita, Japan) is a…
Shintaro Yoshitake (吉武 真太郎, Yoshitake Shintaro; born June 3, 1975 in Higashikunisaki District, Ōita, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Mac Suzuki (マック鈴木; born Makoto Suzuki (鈴木 誠, Suzuki Makoto); May 31, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball…
Mac Suzuki (マック鈴木; born Makoto Suzuki (鈴木 誠, Suzuki Makoto); May 31, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Over his career, Suzuki played 18 seasons in professional baseball, including six in Major League Baseball and two in the Japan Pacific League. In his major league career, he has played for the Seattle Mariners (1996, 1998–1999), the Kansas City Royals (1999–2001, 2002), the Colorado Rockies (2001), and the Milwaukee Brewers (2001). With those teams, he has had a combined record of 16–31 with a 5.72 earned run average (ERA), one complete game, one shutout, 67 starts and 327 strikeouts in 117 games pitched.
Fumihiro Suzuki (鈴木 郁洋, born May 23, 1975) is a retired Japanese professional baseball catcher and current coach for…
Fumihiro Suzuki (鈴木 郁洋, born May 23, 1975) is a retired Japanese professional baseball catcher and current coach for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played with the Chunichi Dragons and the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. Suzuki also played for Team Japan at the 2000 Olympics.
Masafumi Hirai (平井 正史, born April 21, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Hirai played in Nippon…
Masafumi Hirai (平井 正史, born April 21, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Hirai played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix BlueWave/Buffaloes from 1994 to 2002 and from 2013 to 2014, and the Chunichi Dragons from 2003 to 2012.
Shingo Ono (小野 晋吾, Ono Shingo; born April 7, 1975 in Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Nippon Professional Baseball…
Shingo Ono (小野 晋吾, Ono Shingo; born April 7, 1975 in Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League.
Yoshinobu Takahashi (高橋 由伸, born April 3, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball player and manager. He spent…
Yoshinobu Takahashi (高橋 由伸, born April 3, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball player and manager. He spent his entire playing career with the Yomiuri Giants and served as the team's manager for three seasons. He graduated from Keio University. A superb contact hitter, he is also known for his exemplary defensive play. He won the Golden Glove award for six consecutive years between 1998 and 2003. Despite his brilliant records, Takahashi has injured himself numerous times over the years going after fly balls. The injuries primarily resulted from his play style, in which he does not give up on fly balls until they hit the ground. His first injury was on September 14, 1999, at a Chunichi Dragons game, where he jumped diagonally against the outfield fence, causing a fractured shoulder bone. He was selected to be part of the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics and contributed to the team's bronze medal. Takahashi served as the Giants' manager from 2016 to 2018. After his departure, he stayed on with the Giants as a special adviser.
Koji Uehara (上原 浩治, Uehara Kōji; [ɯehara koːdʑi]; born April 3, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball…
Koji Uehara (上原 浩治, Uehara Kōji; [ɯehara koːdʑi]; born April 3, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), as well as the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed pitcher, Uehara has an MLB career strikeout rate of 10.7 K/9 innings and a walk rate of 1.5 BB/9 innings through the 2017 season. Through the 2017 season, his career 7.33 K/BB is the best in MLB history for a player with at least 100 innings pitched. Uehara won the 2013 ALCS MVP Award, and closed the final game of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. With his World Series win, Uehara became one of sixteen players in history to have won both a World Series and a World Baseball Classic.
🎓 Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences🏫 Tokai University Affiliated Osaka Gyosei High School📅 Born April 3🎂 Born 1975📍 From Neyagawa, Osaka💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗Chinese (zh) ↗Korean (ko) ↗Spanish (es) ↗Italian (it) ↗French (fr) ↗German (de) ↗Russian (ru) ↗
Hisanori Takahashi (高橋 尚成, Takahashi Hisanori; born April 2, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher.…
Hisanori Takahashi (高橋 尚成, Takahashi Hisanori; born April 2, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He began his professional career in NPB with the Yomiuri Giants, and played in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗Chinese (zh) ↗Korean (ko) ↗Spanish (es) ↗French (fr) ↗
Tsuyoshi Kikuchihara (菊地原 毅, Kikuchihara Tsuyoshi; born March 7, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball…
Tsuyoshi Kikuchihara (菊地原 毅, Kikuchihara Tsuyoshi; born March 7, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the China Times Eagles, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Orix Buffaloes.
Hiroki Kuroda (黒田 博樹, Kuroda Hiroki; born February 10, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He…
Hiroki Kuroda (黒田 博樹, Kuroda Hiroki; born February 10, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 1997 to 2007 before playing in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2008 to 2011 and New York Yankees from 2012 to 2014. After the 2014 season, he chose to return to the Carp to finish out his career. Between the two leagues, he won 203 games. In NPB, Kuroda won the Best Nine Award in 2005 and was NPB ERA Champion in 2006. He also won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics with the Japanese national baseball team. Kuroda was appointed UNITAR Goodwill Ambassador on 14 September 2015. In 2024, he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
🎓 Senshu University🏫 Uenomiya High School📅 Born February 10🎂 Born 1975📍 From Osaka, Osaka Prefecture💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗Chinese (zh) ↗Korean (ko) ↗Spanish (es) ↗Portuguese (pt) ↗French (fr) ↗
Satoshi Kuroda (黒田 哲史, Kuroda Satoshi; born January 11, 1975 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan) is a former professional Japanese…
Satoshi Kuroda (黒田 哲史, Kuroda Satoshi; born January 11, 1975 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan) is a former professional Japanese baseball infielder and current coach for the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He was previously married to Chiharu Niiyama, a Japanese actress.
Masaumi Shimizu (清水 将海, Shimizu Masaumi; born January 9, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and…
Masaumi Shimizu (清水 将海, Shimizu Masaumi; born January 9, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and current second squad battery coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Chiba Lotte Marines, Chunichi Dragons, and Hawks.
🎓 Aoyama Gakuin University🏫 Tokyo Nogyo University Daini High School📅 Born January 9🎂 Born 1975📍 From Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Tadahito Iguchi (井口 資仁, Iguchi Tadahito; born December 4, 1974), nicknamed "Gucci", is a Japanese professional baseball…
Tadahito Iguchi (井口 資仁, Iguchi Tadahito; born December 4, 1974), nicknamed "Gucci", is a Japanese professional baseball second baseman and former manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). As a member of the Chicago White Sox in 2005, Iguchi became the first fully Japanese position player to win the World Series, and the second Japanese-born position player to win the World Series behind Dave Roberts.
🎓 Aoyama Gakuin University🏫 Kokugakuin University Kugayama High School📅 Born December 4🎂 Born 1974📍 From Nishitokyo, Tokyo💼 Baseball💼 Critic
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗Chinese (zh) ↗Korean (ko) ↗Portuguese (pt) ↗French (fr) ↗
Hitoki Iwase (岩瀬 仁紀, born November 10, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon…
Hitoki Iwase (岩瀬 仁紀, born November 10, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1999 to 2018 for the Chunichi Dragons. He holds the NPB record for career saves and mound appearances. In 2005, he marked 46 saves with a 1.88 ERA, renewing the single-season save record previously set by Kazuhiro Sasaki. This was subsequently broken by Dennis Sarfate of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2017. He was chosen to play on the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics, and won a bronze medal. In the 2007 Japan Series, he saved a perfect game with eight innings thrown by Daisuke Yamai. In 2008, he was selected to play on the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In group stage against South Korean Olympic baseball team, his pitch was hit by Kim Hyunsoo, which resulted in a loss. In the semifinal round against the South Korean team, his pitch was hit by Lee Seung-Yeop, leading to a two-run homerun. This again led to another loss. His overall performance in the 2008 Summer Olympics included three defeats and an ERA of 13.75. On 16 January 2025, Iwase was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sō Tsutsui (筒井 壮, Tsutsui Sō; born November 1, 1974) is a former professional baseball player from Ibaraki, Osaka…
Sō Tsutsui (筒井 壮, Tsutsui Sō; born November 1, 1974) is a former professional baseball player from Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Manabu Satake (佐竹 学, Satake Manabu; born October 27, 1974) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He was…
Manabu Satake (佐竹 学, Satake Manabu; born October 27, 1974) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He was the number 4 draft pick for the Orix BlueWave in 1997.
🎓 Tokai University🏫 Tokai University Affiliated Sapporo High School📅 Born October 27🎂 Born 1974📍 From Sapporo, Hokkaido💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Toshikazu Sawazaki (澤﨑 俊和, Sawazaki Toshikazu; born March 16, 1973 in Chiba, Chiba, Japan) is a professional Japanese…
Toshikazu Sawazaki (澤﨑 俊和, Sawazaki Toshikazu; born March 16, 1973 in Chiba, Chiba, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player.
Shinji Kurano (倉野 信次, Kurano Shinji; born September 15, 1974 in Obata, Mie, Japan) is a Japanese former professional…
Shinji Kurano (倉野 信次, Kurano Shinji; born September 15, 1974 in Obata, Mie, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current first squad pitching coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Hawks from 1997 to 2007.
Shinji Mori (Japanese: 森 慎二, September 12, 1974 – June 28, 2017) was a Japanese professional baseball right-handed…
Shinji Mori (Japanese: 森 慎二, September 12, 1974 – June 28, 2017) was a Japanese professional baseball right-handed pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Seibu Lions.
🏫 Iwakuni Technical High School📅 Born September 12🎂 Born 1974📍 From Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Masahiro Sakumoto (佐久本 昌広, Sakumoto Masahiro; born July 15, 1974) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…
Masahiro Sakumoto (佐久本 昌広, Sakumoto Masahiro; born July 15, 1974) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher, and current the third squad pitching coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, the Hanshin Tigers, and the Yokohama BayStars.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Kokichi Akune (阿久根 鋼吉, Akune Kokichi; born June 22, 1974) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball infielder with the…
Kokichi Akune (阿久根 鋼吉, Akune Kokichi; born June 22, 1974) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball infielder with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.
🎓 Sōka University🏫 Hanasaki Tokuharu High School📅 Born June 22🎂 Born 1974📍 From Adachi, Tokyo💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Junji Hoshino (星野 順治, Hoshino Junji; born June 18, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and…
Junji Hoshino (星野 順治, Hoshino Junji; born June 18, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current pitcher's coordinator for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Hideki Matsui (松井 秀喜, Matsui Hideki; born June 12, 1974), nicknamed "Godzilla", is a Japanese former professional…
Hideki Matsui (松井 秀喜, Matsui Hideki; born June 12, 1974), nicknamed "Godzilla", is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who is the manager of the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Matsui played the first 10 seasons of his career in Japan for NPB's Yomiuri Giants. During that span, he was a nine-time All-Star, three-time Japan Series champion, and three-time Central League Most Valuable Player (MVP). In 2003, Matsui transitioned to playing in MLB in North America, and spent his first seven seasons there with the New York Yankees. As a Yankee, he was a two-time All-Star and 2009 World Series champion, for which he was named the World Series MVP. He is the first Asian player to win the award in league history. After becoming a free agent, Matsui had one-year stints with three other MLB teams: the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, and Tampa Bay Rays. On July 28, 2013, Matsui signed a one-day minor league contract with the Yankees in order to officially retire with the team. During his 20-year playing career, Matsui hit 507 home runs, 332 in NPB and 175 in MLB. In 2018, Matsui was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. He was appointed manager of the Yomiuri Giants during the 2026 offseason.
Koichi Misawa (三澤 興一, Misawa Koichi; born June 8, 1974) is a Japanese baseball pitcher who won a silver medal in the…
Koichi Misawa (三澤 興一, Misawa Koichi; born June 8, 1974) is a Japanese baseball pitcher who won a silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics. He also played for the Yomiuri Giants, Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball from 1997 to 2005. In 2008, he came to the United States to play in the independent Northern League with the Gary SouthShore RailCats. He posted a 1.69 earned run average in 42.2 innings pitched. Gary manager Greg Tagert later told the Chicago Tribune that Misawa "was the absolute best I’ve ever seen coming out the bullpen at our level." During the winter, Misawa played for the Caribes de Anzoátegui in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League and pitched two thirds of an inning for the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Professional Baseball League. In 2009, he played his final professional season with the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League.
Kazuhiko Shiotani (塩谷 和彦, Shiotani Kazuhiko; born May 27, 1974) is a Japanese former baseball utility player who spent…
Kazuhiko Shiotani (塩谷 和彦, Shiotani Kazuhiko; born May 27, 1974) is a Japanese former baseball utility player who spent 11 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball as well as a stint in the United States and a campaign in Korea. Prior to playing professionally, he attended Shinko Gakuen High School. After playing in ni-gun for a spell, Shiotani was loaned to the Bristol Tigers of the American Appalachian League in 1994, with whom he went hitless in 14 at-bats. He returned to Japan and, from 1995 to 2001, earned playing time with the Tigers each season. From 1995 to 1997, he had a total of 17 at-bats and hit .118, though in 1996 he had a home run and four RBI. In 19 at-bats in 1998, he hit .105. He hit .282 in 117 at-bats in 1999, .252 in 107 at-bats in 2000 and .210 in 81 at-bats in 2001. He was traded to the Orix BlueWave following the 2001 season. His playing time increased. In 2002, he hit .230 with five home runs and 20 RBI in 274 at-bats and in 2003—his only 'full' season of work—he hit .307 with eight home runs, 46 RBI and 134 hits in 123 games (436 at-bats). The next year, he hit .269 with nine home runs and 48 RBI in 360 at-bats and in 2005, his last campaign, he hit .176 with no home runs and three RBI in 34 at-bats. All told, he hit .264 with 29 home runs, 145 RBI and 381 hits in an 11-year NPB career. In 2006, he went to play in Korea, suiting up for SK Wyverns of the Korea Baseball Organization. In 23 games, he hit .297 with three home runs and 19 RBI.
Masahide "Masa" Kobayashi (小林 雅英, Kobayashi Masahide; born May 24, 1974 in Ōtsuki, Yamanashi, Japan) is a former…
Masahide "Masa" Kobayashi (小林 雅英, Kobayashi Masahide; born May 24, 1974 in Ōtsuki, Yamanashi, Japan) is a former professional baseball pitcher and pitching coach. From 1997 to 2007, Kobayashi played in the Nippon Professional Baseball league for the Chiba Lotte Marines. From 2008 to 2009, he played for Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians. He was a member of the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal. Kobayashi led the Pacific League in saves in 2005, with 29. He earned his 200th career save in 2006, becoming the third player in Japanese baseball to reach the mark, after Kazuhiro Sasaki and Shingo Takatsu. In 2007, his final season with the Marines, Kobayashi finished 2–7 with 27 saves and a 3.61 ERA in 49 relief appearances. He became the only Japanese professional pitcher to record 20 or more saves seven straight years. On November 2, 2007, Kobayashi declared free agency and expressed his interest in playing for a major league club for the 2008 season. On November 20, Kobayashi signed a two-year, $6.25 million deal with the Cleveland Indians. The deal included a $3.25 million club option for a third year. During the 2008 season, Kobayashi had an average season, going 4–5 with six saves and a 4.53 ERA in 57 relief appearances. He had a 3.05 ERA in the first half, but regressed in the second half, posting a 10.32 ERA in 15 games after the All-Star break. In 2009, Kobayashi made 10 appearances (9+2⁄3 innings) with no decisions or saves, and an ERA of 8.38. On May 16, he was removed from Cleveland's 40-man roster. He later cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. He was released on July 18, 2009. Kobayashi signed a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants for the 2009 season. He made 16 appearances with the Giants, posting a 2.25 ERA. He later joined the Orix Buffaloes for the 2011 season.
Hiroshi Shibahara (柴原 洋, Shibahara Hiroshi; born May 23, 1974) is a Japanese professional baseball player. An…
Hiroshi Shibahara (柴原 洋, Shibahara Hiroshi; born May 23, 1974) is a Japanese professional baseball player. An outfielder, he is currently with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Yoshiyuki Fuchiwaki (渕脇 芳行) is a Japanese retired professional baseball player. He spent seven seasons with the Osaka…
Yoshiyuki Fuchiwaki (渕脇 芳行) is a Japanese retired professional baseball player. He spent seven seasons with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and made one appearance in a first-team match.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Shigeki Noguchi (野口 茂樹; born May 13, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional…
Shigeki Noguchi (野口 茂樹; born May 13, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Chunichi Dragons from 1994 to 2005 and the Yomiuri Giants from 2006 to 2007. He was the Central League MVP in 1999 after going 19-7 with a 2.65 earned run average. Noguchi also played Minor League Baseball in 1994 in the Colorado Rockies organization. In 2009, he signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays but was released after failing a physical.
Yoshinori Murata (村田 善則, Murata Yoshinori; born April 24, 1974 in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan) is a former Nippon…
Yoshinori Murata (村田 善則, Murata Yoshinori; born April 24, 1974 in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher.
Masao Morinaka (森中 聖雄, born April 9, 1974) is a former professional baseball player who played for the Yokohama…
Masao Morinaka (森中 聖雄, born April 9, 1974) is a former professional baseball player who played for the Yokohama BayStars. He currently works as a batting pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants organization. Morinaka was drafted by the Yokohama BayStars in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft. He was a valuable left-handed reliever, but was dropped after only 7 seasons in 2003. He marked a 2.16 ERA in 41 appearances in 1999, and a 2.38 ERA in 53 appearances in 2000. He hit a home run at the Koshien baseball stadium in his final season. He won a silver medal playing for the Japanese national team in the 1996 Summer Olympics before entering the Japanese professional leagues.
Koichi Isobe (礒部 公一, Isobe Kōichi; born March 12, 1974) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Takenori Daita (代田 建紀, Daita Takenori; born February 4, 1974) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played for the…
Takenori Daita (代田 建紀, Daita Takenori; born February 4, 1974) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played for the Chiba Lotte Marines, Yakult Swallows, Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and many other teams of the Japan Pacific League.
Kanei Kobayashi (小林 幹英, Kobayashi Kanei; born June 29, 1974) is a professional Japanese baseball player.
🎓 Senshu University🏫 Niigata Meikun Junior and Senior High School📅 Born January 29🎂 Born 1974📍 From Niigata(city), Niigata Prefecture💼 Baseball
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Hiroko Tamoto (田本 博子, Tamoto Hiroko) (born January 3, 1974) is a Japanese softball player who played as a Center Field.…
Hiroko Tamoto (田本 博子, Tamoto Hiroko) (born January 3, 1974) is a Japanese softball player who played as a Center Field. She won the silver medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Nobuhiko Matsunaka (松中 信彦, Matsunaka Nobuhiko; born December 26, 1973) is a former left fielder and designated hitter…
Nobuhiko Matsunaka (松中 信彦, Matsunaka Nobuhiko; born December 26, 1973) is a former left fielder and designated hitter for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. He is currently the hitting coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. He played in the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics as well as the 2006 World Baseball Classic, hitting cleanup in 1996 and 2006.
Tomohiro "Johnny" Kuroki (黒木 知宏, born December 13, 1973, in Hyūga, Miyazaki, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…
Tomohiro "Johnny" Kuroki (黒木 知宏, born December 13, 1973, in Hyūga, Miyazaki, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Taisei Takagi (髙木 大成, Takagi Taisei; born December 7, 1973 in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…
Taisei Takagi (髙木 大成, Takagi Taisei; born December 7, 1973 in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher/infielder/outfielder.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗