Eiji Kiyokawa (清川 栄治, Kiyokawa Eiji; September 21, 1961 – May 5, 2024) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Eiji Kiyokawa (清川 栄治, Kiyokawa Eiji; September 21, 1961 – May 5, 2024) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player and coach who played as a pitcher. He died from cancer on May 5, 2024, at the age of 62.
Kazuto Nonaka (Japanese: 野中寿人, born June 6, 1961) is a Japanese baseball coach and promoter. He has managed the…Kazuto Nonaka (Japanese: 野中寿人, born June 6, 1961) is a Japanese baseball coach and promoter. He has managed the Indonesia national baseball team and is currently the manager of the Pakistan national baseball team, which he skippered at the 2025 Asian Baseball Championship. Nonaka played with Third Junior & Senior High School of Nihon University as a catcher at the 1979 Summer Koshien tournament. Despite offers from professional baseball teams, he chose to attend university. Despite wishing to attend Meiji University, he was pressured to enroll at Nihon University. He dropped out six months later. He worked outside of baseball in Japan and the Philippines before moving to Indonesia in 2001, where he ran a tourism business. Nonaka began coaching youth baseball in Bali, and his work eventually earned him appointment as the manager of the Indonesian national baseball team. He steered Indonesia at the 2009 Asian Baseball Championship, its first appearance at the top level of baseball competition in Asia. He managed the Sri Lanka national baseball team at the 2019 West Asia Baseball Cup, winning the gold, and the 2023 West Asia Baseball Cup. He also coached Sri Lanka to a semifinals berth at the Baseball United Arab Classic, held in Dubai in 2024. Nonaka helped found the Saga Asian Dreams, a minor league team playing in Japan's Kyushu Asia League. His vision for the team was to sign emerging talents from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and other Asian countries where baseball is a developing sport. In July 2025, Pakistan Federation Baseball announced that it had hired Nonaka as manager for the Pakistan at the 2025 Asian Baseball Championship. Nonaka's experience with Saga Asian Dreams, and its two Pakistani pitchers, Faisal Hayat and Musharaf Khan, was cited as a factor in the appointment.
Hideki Kuriyama (栗山 英樹, Kuriyama Hideki; born April 26, 1961) is a Japanese former baseball manager and player. He…Hideki Kuriyama (栗山 英樹, Kuriyama Hideki; born April 26, 1961) is a Japanese former baseball manager and player. He managed the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball for ten seasons from 2012 to 2021, leading them to a Japan Series title in 2016. Kuriyama also managed for the Samurai Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, leading the national team to its third Classic title and the first since 2009. Kuriyama also planned to be a teacher at Tokyo Gakugei University, but pursued a career in baseball instead, signing with the Yakult Swallows. His career came to a short end after an injury in 1990, and like other short careered baseball players, he pursued a career within sports media. He is also well known as the mentor of the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who was drafted by the Fighters despite him wanting to pursue an MLB career instead. Kuriyama retired from management following the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Kazuhiko Ushijima (牛島 和彦, Ushijima Kazuhiko; born April 13, 1961 in Kawai, Nara, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…Kazuhiko Ushijima (牛島 和彦, Ushijima Kazuhiko; born April 13, 1961 in Kawai, Nara, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Kazuhiko Ishimine (石嶺 和彦, Ishimine Kazuhiko; born January 10, 1961) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Kazuhiko Ishimine (石嶺 和彦, Ishimine Kazuhiko; born January 10, 1961) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Masafumi Nishi (西 正文, Nishi Masafumi; born November 25, 1960 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player.…Masafumi Nishi (西 正文, Nishi Masafumi; born November 25, 1960 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player. He won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Mikio Kudō (工藤幹夫, Kudō Mikio; September 30, 1960 – May 13, 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He…Mikio Kudō (工藤幹夫, Kudō Mikio; September 30, 1960 – May 13, 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He played five seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, all for the Nippon Ham Fighters.
Hiromi Matsunaga (松永 浩美, Matsunaga Hiromi; born September 27, 1960) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. In…Hiromi Matsunaga (松永 浩美, Matsunaga Hiromi; born September 27, 1960) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. In 1998, he attempted to win a roster spot with the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.
Hiroshi Moriwaki (森脇 浩司, Moriwaki Hiroshi; born August 6, 1960) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Hiroshi Moriwaki (森脇 浩司, Moriwaki Hiroshi; born August 6, 1960) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player and current coach.
Tsunemi Tsuda (津田 恒実, Tsuda Tsunemi; August 1, 1960 – July 20, 1993) was a Japanese baseball player of the Hiroshima…Tsunemi Tsuda (津田 恒実, Tsuda Tsunemi; August 1, 1960 – July 20, 1993) was a Japanese baseball player of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League. He was one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the "Stopper of Flame" (炎のストッパー, Honou-no-Stopper) because from his pitching style with the fastball. His nickname was "Tsune-Gon"(ツネゴン). He was born in Shūnan, Yamaguchi. He retired in 1991, and died of brain tumor in 1993, when he was 32 years old. His memorial plate, found at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, is inscribed with the words "We will never forget about his fastball, smile, courage and bravery". He led his team in two Japan Series and won one title (1984).
Junichi Fukura (福良 淳一, Fukura Junichi; born 28 June 1960) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player from…Junichi Fukura (福良 淳一, Fukura Junichi; born 28 June 1960) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player from Kitaura Town, Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture (now Nobeoka City). He was a line-drive hitter. Junichi Fukura currently serves as the general manager and head of team organization for the Orix Buffaloes. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the team's 27th manager.
Hiroshi Ogawa (小川 史, Ogawa Hiroshi; born June 6, 1960) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball shortstop, and…Hiroshi Ogawa (小川 史, Ogawa Hiroshi; born June 6, 1960) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball shortstop, and current the third squad manager for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Seibu Lions in 1980, and the Nankai Hawks/Fukuoka Daiei Hawks from 1983 to 1995.
Norifumi Nishimura (西村 徳文, Nishimura Norifumi; born January 9, 1960 in Kushima, Miyazaki) is a former Nippon…Norifumi Nishimura (西村 徳文, Nishimura Norifumi; born January 9, 1960 in Kushima, Miyazaki) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player and current manager. Nishimura spent the entirety of his 16-year playing career with the Chiba Lotte Marines. After retiring, he coached for the team until being named the successor to former Marines-manager Bobby Valentine in late 2009.
Michio Aoyama (青山 道雄, Aoyama Michio; born December 17, 1959 in Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Michio Aoyama (青山 道雄, Aoyama Michio; born December 17, 1959 in Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Katsuo Hirata (平田 勝男, Hirata Katsuo; born July 31, 1959) is a former professional baseball player from Matsuura…Katsuo Hirata (平田 勝男, Hirata Katsuo; born July 31, 1959) is a former professional baseball player from Matsuura, Nagasaki, Japan.
Kazuhisa Kawaguchi (川口 和久, Kawaguchi Kazuhisa; born July 8, 1959) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Kazuhisa Kawaguchi (川口 和久, Kawaguchi Kazuhisa; born July 8, 1959) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. In February 2023, he was hired by his former school of Tottori Jōhoku High School, to train its baseball team.
Yoshiie Tachibana (立花 義家, Tachibana Yoshiie; born October 27, 1958) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Yoshiie Tachibana (立花 義家, Tachibana Yoshiie; born October 27, 1958) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Hatsuhiko Tsuji (Japanese: 辻 発彦, Hepburn: Tsuji Hatsuhiko; born October 24, 1958) is a former Nippon Professional…Hatsuhiko Tsuji (Japanese: 辻 発彦, Hepburn: Tsuji Hatsuhiko; born October 24, 1958) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player and manager. During his playing career he was well known as a skillful second baseman.
Yutaka Takagi (高木 豊, Yutaka Takagi; born October 22, 1958 in Hōfu, Yamaguchi, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Yutaka Takagi (高木 豊, Yutaka Takagi; born October 22, 1958 in Hōfu, Yamaguchi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player.
Daijiro Oishi (大石 大二郎, Ōishi Daijirō; born October 20, 1958) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He was an…Daijiro Oishi (大石 大二郎, Ōishi Daijirō; born October 20, 1958) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He was an infielder for the Kintetsu Buffaloes for 16 seasons. He served as a coach for the Buffaloes from 2003 to 2008 before managing the Orix Buffaloes in 2008, managing two seasons.
Tatsunori Hara (原 辰徳, Hara Tatsunori; born July 22, 1958) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and…Tatsunori Hara (原 辰徳, Hara Tatsunori; born July 22, 1958) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and manager. He played 15 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants, and also spent 17 seasons as the club's manager.
Masaru Uno (宇野 勝, Uno Masaru; born May 30, 1958) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played in…Masaru Uno (宇野 勝, Uno Masaru; born May 30, 1958) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons from 1977 to 1992, and the Chiba Lotte Marines from 1993 to 1994.
Yasuo Kubo (久保 康生, Kubo Yasuo; born April 8, 1958 in Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Yasuo Kubo (久保 康生, Kubo Yasuo; born April 8, 1958 in Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Mitsuo Tateishi (立石 充男, Tateishi Mitsuo; born June 12, 1957 in Izumi, Osaka, Japan) is a former Japanese baseball…Mitsuo Tateishi (立石 充男, Tateishi Mitsuo; born June 12, 1957 in Izumi, Osaka, Japan) is a former Japanese baseball player. He was most recently the position player coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Akinobu Okada (岡田 彰布, Okada Akinobu) (born November 25, 1957) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and…Akinobu Okada (岡田 彰布, Okada Akinobu) (born November 25, 1957) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and manager. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1980 to 1995 for the Hanshin Tigers and Orix BlueWave.
Junji Ogawa (小川 淳司, Ogawa Junji; born August 30, 1957) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played…Junji Ogawa (小川 淳司, Ogawa Junji; born August 30, 1957) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Yakult Swallows and Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Shigeru Sugimura (杉村 繁, Sugimura Shigeru; born July 31, 1957) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Shigeru Sugimura (杉村 繁, Sugimura Shigeru; born July 31, 1957) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Kazunori "Toshio" Shinozuka (篠塚 和典, Shinozuka Kazunori; born July 16, 1957) is a former professional Japanese baseball…Kazunori "Toshio" Shinozuka (篠塚 和典, Shinozuka Kazunori; born July 16, 1957) is a former professional Japanese baseball player. As a boy, Ichiro Suzuki learned to pattern his original swinging pendulum leg kick after Shinozuka's.
Manabu Kitabeppu (北別府 学, Kitabeppu Manabu; July 12, 1957 – June 16, 2023) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher…Manabu Kitabeppu (北別府 学, Kitabeppu Manabu; July 12, 1957 – June 16, 2023) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher, the first-round draft pick of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 1975, and one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the "Precision Machine" (精密機械, Seimitsu-Kikai) because of his perfect control pitching, and his nickname was Pei-San (ペイさん). Kitabeppu struggled his first few seasons, then went 17–11 with a 3.58 ERA to make his first All-Star team in 1979. It was the first of five consecutive All-Star picks for Kitabeppu, who helped the team to a Japan Series title in 1980. In 1982 Kitabeppu went 20–8 with a 2.43 ERA, easily his best year up to that point in his pitching career. He led the Central League with 267.3 innings, won the most games on the mound, and was fourth in ERA. He won his first Eiji Sawamura Award that season and also was named to the Best Nine. His streak of All-Star selections ended in 1984, though he continued to pitch well in '84 and '85. In 1986 Kitabeppu had his best season, going 18–4 with a 2.43 ERA. He led the circuit once again in victories, won his only ERA crown, led in complete games (17) and shutouts (4), won his only Gold Glove, and in addition to the Best Nine and Sawamura, won his only MVP award as the Carp returned to the Japan Series, but failed to win. Kitabeppu again was an All-Star in '88 but posted losing records from '87 through '89, once with an ERA of 5.48. The former star allowed the most runs in 1988 (87) and the most homers (22). The next season, he again surrendered the most home runs, also 22. In 1989 he was in the minor leagues for the first time in his career. Kitabeppu emerged resurgent from his trials and after a decent season in 1990, in 1991 he went 11–4 with a 3.38 ERA. He made his seventh All-Star team in 1992, with 14 wins in 22 decisions, and a 2.58 ERA. It was his lowest ERA and most victories since his MVP season of '86. The Carp made their third Japan Series of the Kitabeppu era, but lost to the Seibu Lions. Still just 34, Kitabeppu reached 200 career wins. It was his last good season – he would pitch 24 more games, going 9-9, with ERAs over 5 each time, before retiring. His career line with Hiroshima was 213–141 with a 3.67 ERA. Since Kitabeppu, only one pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball (Kimiyasu Kudoh) has reached 200 victories. Kitabeppu ranks 17th all-time in wins, 20th in innings (3,113), 26th in strikeouts (1,757), 9th in hits allowed (3,225), and 4th in homers surrendered (380, the Central League record). After retiring, Kitabeppu became an announcer and then the pitching coach for the Carp. Shortly after midnight on June 16, 2023, he died in a hospital in the city of Hiroshima. He was 65. In 2020 he announced that he had been battling leukemia for a long time.
Yoshihiko Takahashi (高橋 慶彦, born March 13, 1957) is a Japanese former professional baseball shortstop in Nippon…Yoshihiko Takahashi (高橋 慶彦, born March 13, 1957) is a Japanese former professional baseball shortstop in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 1976 to 1989, Lotte Orions in 1990 and the Hanshin Tigers from 1991 to 1992. He was the Japan Series MVP in 1979. He holds the NPB record for consecutive games with a hit at 33, between June and July 1979.
Yoshitaka Katori (鹿取 義隆, Katori Yoshitaka; born March 10, 1957 in Kami, Kōchi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…Yoshitaka Katori (鹿取 義隆, Katori Yoshitaka; born March 10, 1957 in Kami, Kōchi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Eiji Kanamori (金森 栄治, Kanamori Eiji; born January 24, 1957) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and the…Eiji Kanamori (金森 栄治, Kanamori Eiji; born January 24, 1957) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and the current coach of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in…Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played most of his career for the Seibu Lions. Ishige was the 1986 Pacific League Most Valuable Player, a seven-time Best Nine Award-winner, and a ten-time Gold Glove winner. A 14-time All-Star, he left a track record in 16 years as a shortstop and third baseman in the Pacific League. Ishige was drafted by the Lotte Orions in the third round of the 1974 NPB draft, but went to college instead. He won a Tokyo Metropolitan University League batting title and made six Best Nines in college. He was then picked in the first round of the 1980 NPB draft by the Seibu Lions. Ishige made the All-Star team as a rookie with Seibu and would make it all 14 seasons he was with them. He hit .311/.380/.531 that first year with 21 homers and 25 steals (in 34 tries). He won a Gold Glove, made his first Best Nine and won Rookie of the Year honors. Ishige's production slipped to a .259/.337/.401 line in 1982 though he stole 22 in 26 tries and won a Gold Glove and Best Nine. He hit .296/.321/.370 in his first Japan Series, to help Seibu take the 1982 Series but was thrown out in two of three steal attempts. In 1983, Ishige hit .303/.593/.503 with 29 steals in 34 tries, hit 16 homers, scored 86 runs, won another Gold Glove, earned a third Best Nine spot and tied Yutaka Fukumoto and Hiromi Matsunaga for the PL lead with 7 triples. He hit .276/.276/.379 as Seibu won another Japan Series, but was 0 for 1 in steals. The next year, Ishige batted .259/.338/.498 with 91 runs, 26 homers and 26 steals (in 36 tries); Keijiro Yumioka beat him out for the Best Nine that time. While he only stole 11 bases (in 14 tries) in 1985, Ishige remained a potent offensive force, chipping in at a .280/.386/.508 clip with 96 runs, 27 homers and 88 walks. His 26 doubles led the league and he won another Gold Glove and Best Nine. In the 1985 Japan Series, Hiromichi hit .208/.296/.583 with 3 home runs in a losing effort. Ishige won his MVP in 1986, when he batted .329/.386/.531, won another Gold Glove at short, scored 91 runs, drove in 89, smacked 27 home runs and stole 19 bases. He set a Nippon Pro Baseball record by leading off eight games with home runs and set a Seibu club record with a 23-game hitting streak. He hit .297/.297/.405 as Seibu won a hard-fought 1986 Japan Series over the Hiroshima Carp. In '87, Hiromichi hit .269/.331/.370 in an off-year but still won a Gold Glove and made the Best Nine. He batted .348/.423/.652 in the 1987 Japan Series to win his fourth ring. That winter, he assumed chairmanship of the board of directors of the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association, replacing Hiromitsu Ochiai; two years later, Akinobu Okada would take the role. The 31-year-old had his third and last 20-20 year in 1988 (21 HR, 22 SB in 26 tries; he would never hit 20 homers again) and batted .283/.364/.441 and won his 7th Gold Glove. He had his best Series, the 1989 Japan Series, hitting .389/.389/.944 with 3 HR, 5 runs and 6 RBI in five games to win the Series MVP award. In '89, Ishige stole 28 in 33 tries for his final 20-steal season and batted .270/.395/.428. He drew 98 walks, a career-best and led the PL in that category. Ishige hit .298/.364/.429 in 1990 and was 7 for 8 in steals. Now a third baseman, he fielded .991, a Pacific League record for the position. He went 1 for 12 in the 1990 Japan Series but drew four walks as his club won a sixth Series. At one point, he had hit in 17 straight games in a Japan Series, a record. In '91, the veteran still produced at a .269/.331/.424 rate and he hit .280/.333/.440 in the 1991 Japan Series, Seibu's seventh victory in his time with the club. He won his first Gold Glove in three years. In 1992, Ishige batted .297/.359/.413, won a Gold Glove and made his seventh Best Nine, the first in five years. He hit .240/.286/.440 as Seibu took the 1992 Japan Series for their eighth Series win in his 12 seasons, marking it as the greatest Pacific League dynasty ever — other key contributors in the run had included Koji Akiyama, Kimiyasu Kudoh, Hisanobu Watanabe, Orestes Destrade, Kazuhiro Kiyohara, Taigen Kaku, Osamu Higashio, and Tetsuya Shiozaki. Ishige was the captain of the team during the last stretch of Series victories at least. Destrade recalls that Ishige was the team's motivator. Ishige continued to produce as the 36-year-old put up a .306/.389/.479 batting line in 1993, won his last Gold Glove and made his final Best Nine. He hit .304/.385/.304 in the 1993 Japan Series as Seibu fell in 7 games to the Yakult Swallows to end their dynastic run. In '94, Hiromichi hit .266/.335/.397 and made his last All-Star appearance. He went 1 for 12 with three walks in the 1994 Japan Series. Leaving Seibu after 14 All-Star seasons and 8 titles in 14 years, Ishige moved on to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, where the 38-year-old hit .200/.260/.275 to signal that his glory days were definitely gone. Fellow faded star Matsunaga was the primary third baseman that year. In 1996, Ishige concluded his playing career by going 3 for 23 for Daiei. Overall, Ishige hit .283/.362/.450 in 7,570 plate appearances, cracked 236 homers and stole 243 in 314 tries. Through 2006, Hiromichi ranks 25th all-time in NPB in runs (1,049, 10 behind Matsunaga), 18th in sacrifice bunts (218; manager Masahiko Mori often had him bunt as he felt Ishige hit into too many double plays in the clutch. Destrade, on the other hand, described him as a timely player who drove in key runs, showing how different perceptions of "clutch play" can be) and 22nd in strikeouts (1,127). With one more year as a regular, he likely would have been in the top 30 in walks as well. After retiring as a player, Ishige was a minor league manager for Seibu for two years then spent a year as a commentator for NHK in 1999. When manager Akira Ohgi was let go after the 2001 season, the Orix BlueWave hired Ishige to replace him as manager. The club fell from above-.500 in '01 to 50-87-3 and last place. The next year, they started poorly and Ishige lambasted high-strikeout sluggers Fernando Seguignol and Scott Sheldon. After a 7-12-1 start, Ishige was let go and they brought in Leon Lee as the new manager, the first African-American manager in NPB history. Lee fared no better with the sorry lot and they finished last again. In 2005, Ishige founded the independent Shikoku Island League (now known as Shikoku Island League Plus).
Takashi Nishimoto (西本 聖, Nishimoto Takashi; born June 27, 1956) is a Japanese baseball coach and retired pitcher. He…Takashi Nishimoto (西本 聖, Nishimoto Takashi; born June 27, 1956) is a Japanese baseball coach and retired pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants, Chunichi Dragons, and Orix Blue Wave from 1976 through 1993. In 1981, Nishimoto won the Eiji Sawamura Award. Winning the 1981 Japan Series, he was named the Japan Series Most Valuable Player. Nishimoto won seven straight Gold Glove Awards from 1979 through 1985. He won the Nippon Professional Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1989. After his retirement as a player, Nishimoto coached for the Hanshin Tigers and the Chiba Lotte Marines. In 2013, he coached the Orix Buffaloes. His brother, Akikazu Nishimoto, played in NPB.
Takayoshi Nakao (中尾 孝義, Nakao Takayoshi, born February 16, 1956) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He…Takayoshi Nakao (中尾 孝義, Nakao Takayoshi, born February 16, 1956) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He was a catcher. In 1982, he was the MVP of the Central League. His career lasted 13 seasons, from 1981 to 1993.
Akio Ishii (石井 昭男, Ishii Akio; born September 26, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He…Akio Ishii (石井 昭男, Ishii Akio; born September 26, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played for the Chunichi Dragons. He is currently the second team hitting coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Kazuhiro Yamakura (山倉 和博, born September 2, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He spent his…Kazuhiro Yamakura (山倉 和博, born September 2, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He spent his entire 13-year playing career with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. He was the 1987 Central League MVP.
Mitsuo Tatsukawa (達川 光男, Tatsukawa Mitsuo; born July 13, 1955 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan) is a former…Mitsuo Tatsukawa (達川 光男, Tatsukawa Mitsuo; born July 13, 1955 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher.
Masayuki Kakefu (掛布 雅之, Kakefu Masayuki) (born May 9, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman.…Masayuki Kakefu (掛布 雅之, Kakefu Masayuki) (born May 9, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers from 1974 to 1988. Known as “Mr. Tigers”, the popular slugger batted .292 lifetime for the Tigers in his career while hitting over 300 home runs and driving 1,019 runs batted in to go along with three home run titles and seven selections to the Best Nine Award. In 1985, he hit 40 home runs and batted .300 as the Tigers went all the way to the Japan Series and won it for the first time in team history. Kakefu took part in what has been called one of the most famous moments in Tiger history on the game played on April 17, 1985 when he hit the second of three consecutive home runs (Randy Bass hit the first while Akinobu Okada hit the third) against the Yomiuri Giants. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Shigekazu Mori (森 繁和, born November 18, 1954, in Chosei, Chiba Prefecture) is a former Japanese professional baseball…Shigekazu Mori (森 繁和, born November 18, 1954, in Chosei, Chiba Prefecture) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He has held coaching positions at 4 different teams most notably including a 10 years stint at the Seibu Lions and 10 years at current employers, the Chunichi Dragons. On 9 August 2016 it was announced that Mori would become the interim manager of the Dragons following the dismissal of Motonobu Tanishige. On 29 September 2016, following the end of the 2016 NPB season where the Dragons finished last in the Central League, Mori was announced as permanent full-time manager for the 2017 season.
Masahiro Tanaka (田中 昌宏, Tanaka Masahiro; born September 28, 1954) is a former Japanese baseball first baseman and…Masahiro Tanaka (田中 昌宏, Tanaka Masahiro; born September 28, 1954) is a former Japanese baseball first baseman and outfielder.
Yoshinori Sato (佐藤 義則, born September 11, 1954, in Okushiri District, Hokkaido, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…Yoshinori Sato (佐藤 義則, born September 11, 1954, in Okushiri District, Hokkaido, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Tomio Tashiro (田代 富雄, Tashiro Tomio; born July 9, 1954 in Odawara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Tomio Tashiro (田代 富雄, Tashiro Tomio; born July 9, 1954 in Odawara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball player and coach who is currently a hitting coach for Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Nobuhiro Takashiro (高代 延博, Takashiro Nobuhiro; 27 May 1954 – 9 December 2025) was a Japanese Nippon Professional…Nobuhiro Takashiro (高代 延博, Takashiro Nobuhiro; 27 May 1954 – 9 December 2025) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. Takashiro died from esophageal cancer in Osaka, on 9 December 2025, at the age of 71.
Yasushi Tao (田尾 安志, Tao Yasushi; born January 8, 1954 in Mitoyo, Kagawa) is a Japanese retired Nippon Professional…Yasushi Tao (田尾 安志, Tao Yasushi; born January 8, 1954 in Mitoyo, Kagawa) is a Japanese retired Nippon Professional Baseball player. He was raised in Osaka. After playing, Tao managed the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. In his one year as manager, the Eagles finished in last in the PL and was the first PL team in 40 years to lose over 90 games in a single season.
Kiyoshi Nakahata (中畑 清, Nakahata Kiyoshi; born January 6, 1954) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Kiyoshi Nakahata (中畑 清, Nakahata Kiyoshi; born January 6, 1954) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Yomiuri Giants (1976–1989). He managed the Yokohama DeNA BayStars for four seasons from 2011 to 2015.
