Osaka Prefecture: 145 people
Katsunori Okamoto (岡本 克道, Okamoto Katsunori; born June 9, 1973) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…
Katsunori Okamoto (岡本 克道, Okamoto Katsunori; born June 9, 1973) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Yutaka Nakamura (中村 豊, Nakamura Yutaka; born April 23, 1973 in Sakai, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional…
Yutaka Nakamura (中村 豊, Nakamura Yutaka; born April 23, 1973 in Sakai, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional outfielder.
Masaaki Daito (大塔 正明, Daitō Masaaki; born 5 April 1973) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played in the…
Masaaki Daito (大塔 正明, Daitō Masaaki; born 5 April 1973) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played in the Central League for the Chunichi Dragons.
Yoshitomo Tani (谷 佳知, born February 9, 1973) is a former Japanese professional baseball player from Higashiōsaka…
Yoshitomo Tani (谷 佳知, born February 9, 1973) is a former Japanese professional baseball player from Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan. He played as an outfielder for the Orix Buffaloes and Yomiuri Giants. He holds the Pacific League record for hits in a single season by a right-handed batter with 189 hits in 2003 for Orix. He also holds the Japanese NPB record for doubles in a single season with 52 in 2001. Tani emerged as a recurrent Best Nine award winner in the late 90s and early 2000s for Orix, and played a large role in carrying the Blue Wave/Buffaloes following Ichiro Suzuki's departure to play with the Seattle Mariners in MLB
Daisuke Motoki (元木 大介, Motoki Daisuke; born December 30, 1971) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball player.
Katsuhiko Miyaji (宮地 克彦, born August 28, 1971) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Hitoshi Taneda (種田 仁, born July 18, 1971) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Takayuki Ohnishi (大西 崇之, Ōnishi Takayuki; born July 2, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He…
Takayuki Ohnishi (大西 崇之, Ōnishi Takayuki; born July 2, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He currently serves as a major league team coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB from 1995 to 2006 for the Chunichi Dragons and Yomiuri Giants.
Tsutomu Iwamoto (岩本 勉, Iwamoto Tsutomu; born May 11, 1971 in Yao, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…
Tsutomu Iwamoto (岩本 勉, Iwamoto Tsutomu; born May 11, 1971 in Yao, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Shinji Imanaka (今中 慎二, Imanaka Shinji; born March 6, 1971 in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…
Shinji Imanaka (今中 慎二, Imanaka Shinji; born March 6, 1971 in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. Imanaka attended the Daitō campus of Osaka Sangyo University High School, which became Osaka Tōin High School in his final year. He was recognized as the school's ace pitcher and scouted by several clubs, including the Yomiuri Giants and his hometown team, the Hanshin Tigers. Despite being a Hanshin fan himself, Imanaka had his sights set solely on playing for the Chunichi Dragons, who had won the league pennant during his final year of high school. Imanaka went as far as declaring that he would not play professional baseball if another team drafted him. Chunichi obliged and selected him in the first round of the 1988 rookie draft.
Shinya Miyamoto (宮本 慎也, Miyamoto Shin'ya; born November 5, 1970) is a former professional baseball player from Suita…
Shinya Miyamoto (宮本 慎也, Miyamoto Shin'ya; born November 5, 1970) is a former professional baseball player from Suita, Osaka, Japan. He played shortstop. He was chosen as the captain of the Japanese olympic baseball team for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, and won a bronze medal in 2004. He was also part of the 2006 World Baseball Classic Japanese baseball team.
Takahiro Saeki (佐伯 貴弘, born April 18, 1970, in Osaka, Osaka, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.…
Takahiro Saeki (佐伯 貴弘, born April 18, 1970, in Osaka, Osaka, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. Under former manager Motonobu Tanishige he was a fielding coach for the Chunichi Dragons, but with Tanishige's dismissal as manager on 10 August 2016, Saeki was also relieved from his position.
Chihiro Hamana (浜名 千広, Hamana Chihiro; born November 11, 1969) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…
Chihiro Hamana (浜名 千広, Hamana Chihiro; born November 11, 1969) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Koichiro Yoshinaga (吉永 幸一郎, Yoshinaga Koichiro; born May 1, 1969) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…
Koichiro Yoshinaga (吉永 幸一郎, Yoshinaga Koichiro; born May 1, 1969) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher/infielder.
Takemi Miyamae (宮前 岳巳, Miyamae Takemi; born November 1, 1968 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese conditioning coach for the…
Takemi Miyamae (宮前 岳巳, Miyamae Takemi; born November 1, 1968 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese conditioning coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Hideo Nomo (野茂 英雄, Nomo Hideo; born August 31, 1968) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher who played in Nippon…
Hideo Nomo (野茂 英雄, Nomo Hideo; born August 31, 1968) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher who played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Major League Baseball (MLB). He achieved early success in his native country, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1990 to 1994. He then exploited a loophole to free himself from his contract, and became the first Japanese major leaguer to permanently relocate to MLB in the United States, debuting with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995. Nomo became just the second Japanese player in American professional baseball after Masanori Murakami who played in MLB three decades earlier, and Nomo's star status is often credited with opening the door for Japanese players in MLB. Nomo pitched over a span of 13 seasons in the American major leagues with eight different teams, before retiring in 2008. In 1995, he won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award and was named an MLB All-Star. He twice led MLB in strikeouts and also threw two no-hitters, including the only no-hitter in Coors Field history, a ballpark notoriously hard to pitch in due to elevation from sea level affecting pitched and batted balls. He was the only Japanese pitcher in MLB to throw a no-hitter until the Seattle Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma did so on August 12, 2015, against the Baltimore Orioles. Nomo was well known for his distinctive "tornado" pitching windup and delivery. In 2014, Nomo was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Masumi Kuwata (桑田 真澄 Kuwata Masumi, born 1 April 1968 in Yao, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former right-handed pitcher.…
Masumi Kuwata (桑田 真澄 Kuwata Masumi, born 1 April 1968 in Yao, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former right-handed pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1986 to 2006 for the Yomiuri Giants. He also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007. He is the older brother of professional golfer Izumi Kuwata.
Kazuhiro Kiyohara (清原 和博, Kiyohara Kazuhiro; born August 18, 1967) is a Japanese television personality, YouTuber and…
Kazuhiro Kiyohara (清原 和博, Kiyohara Kazuhiro; born August 18, 1967) is a Japanese television personality, YouTuber and former professional baseball player. He played in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league for 23 seasons. He retired following the 2008 season. Born in Kishiwada, Osaka in 1967, his family were baseball fans. He began his career when he joined his high school baseball team in the 1980s that subsequently won two Japanese High School Baseball Championships. He became a widely respected high school player and was selected by Seibu Lions in 1985. During his time with the Lions, the team won six Japan Series titles and he tied the rookie HR record for Japanese professional baseball. In 1996, he joined the Yomiuri Giants, and was an integral part of their 2000 and 2002 Japan Series championship squads. He later joined the Orix Buffaloes, before retiring in 2008. He has been dubbed "The Uncrowned King" as he never won a major batting title, despite being widely regarded as one of NPB's greatest hitters. He is the eighth and currently last player to have hit 500 home runs in NPB history. In 2014, Kiyohara was hospitalized after an alleged illegal drug abuse. At first he denied the allegation, after which he was divorced by his wife Aki Kimura due to domestic violence. After a lengthy investigation, in 2016, Kiyohara tested positive for stimulants and was subsequently arrested and given a suspended prison sentence. After being cast out from television for his conviction, he became a YouTuber posting videos about baseball and weight loss.
Shūji Nishiyama (西山 秀二, Nishiyama Shūji; born July 7, 1967 in Yao, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional catcher.
Kenji Tomashino (笘篠 賢治, Tomashino Kenji; born October 11, 1966) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…
Kenji Tomashino (笘篠 賢治, Tomashino Kenji; born October 11, 1966) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder/outfielder. His elder brother, Seiji, is also a professional baseball player.
Hiroshi Nakamoto (中本 浩, Nakamoto Hiroshi; born August 22, 1966 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese baseball…
Hiroshi Nakamoto (中本 浩, Nakamoto Hiroshi; born August 22, 1966 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player. He won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Hidekazu Mitsuyama (光山 英和, Mitsuyama Hidekazu; born November 20, 1965) is a Japanese former professional baseball…
Hidekazu Mitsuyama (光山 英和, Mitsuyama Hidekazu; born November 20, 1965) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher who played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1986 to 1999, and again from 2001 to 2002. He is currently a battery coach for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
Hiroyuki Mori (森浩之, Mori Hiroyuki; born February 4, 1965) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and…
Hiroyuki Mori (森浩之, Mori Hiroyuki; born February 4, 1965) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and current the battery coordinator for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Nankai / Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. His registered name during his active career was 森 広之(Mori Hiroyuki).
Seiji Tomashino (笘篠 誠治, Tomashino Seiji; born June 22, 1964 in Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…
Seiji Tomashino (笘篠 誠治, Tomashino Seiji; born June 22, 1964 in Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder/outfielder. His younger brother Kenji is also a professional baseball player.
Hiroshi Fujimoto (藤本 博史, Fujimoto Hiroshi; born November 8, 1963) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…
Hiroshi Fujimoto (藤本 博史, Fujimoto Hiroshi; born November 8, 1963) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Nankai/Fukuoka Daiei Hawks and the Orix Blue Wave.
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.
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.
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.
Hiromasa Arai (新井 宏昌, Arai Hiromasa; born April 26, 1952) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Koji Yamamoto (山本 功児, Yamamoto Koji; December 25, 1951 – April 23, 2016) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…
Koji Yamamoto (山本 功児, Yamamoto Koji; December 25, 1951 – April 23, 2016) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Yutaka Fukumoto (福本 豊, Fukumoto Yutaka; born November 7, 1947 in Osaka, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional…
Yutaka Fukumoto (福本 豊, Fukumoto Yutaka; born November 7, 1947 in Osaka, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player in Nippon Professional Baseball. An aggressive lead-off man and superior defensive centerfielder, he holds the Japanese career records in triples and stolen bases. He also hit more lead-off home runs than anyone in Japanese history, with 43. In 2002 (Heisei 14), Fukumoto was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Hiroaki Inoue (Japanese:井上弘昭; May 5, 1944 – December 8, 2025) was a Japanese baseball player. In 1966, Inoue was…
Hiroaki Inoue (Japanese:井上弘昭; May 5, 1944 – December 8, 2025) was a Japanese baseball player. In 1966, Inoue was selected as a representative of Japan at the Amateur Baseball World Championship, contributing to Japan's championship and being selected as the best nine (outfielder) for working adults. During the 1967 draft, he was a first round pick for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. In 1973, in an exchange trade with Kazuto Kawabata, he transferred to the Chunichi Dragons. In 1981, in an exchange trade with Masaru Tomita and Hideaki Oshima, he transferred to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. After the end of the 1984 season, he retired from playing, and in 1985, he was appointed the defensive base running coach of the Seibu Lions. Due to the retirement of the right pinch hitter, he returned to playing (concurrently serving as a coach). However, he only played in 10 games, and after the end of the season, he left Seibu and officially retired, becoming the first professional baseball commentator on TV Aichi. Inoue was born May 5, 1944, in Osaka. He died on December 8, 2025, at the age of 81.
Masahiro Doi (土井 正博, Doi Masahiro) (born December 8, 1943) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in…
Masahiro Doi (土井 正博, Doi Masahiro) (born December 8, 1943) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1962 to 1974 and the Taiheiyo Club / Crown Lighter / Seibu Lions from 1975 to 1981. In a career that spanned 20 years, the slugger was selected to 15 All-Star games and was named to the Best Nine Award three times (1967, 1968, 1978). Over four decades after his retirement, Doi ranks 10th all-time in hits in Japanese baseball history with 2,452. He last served as the batting coach for the Chunichi Dragons.
Mitsuhiro Adachi (足立 光宏, Adachi Mitsuhiro; born 10 March 1940) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. Mitsuhiro played…
Mitsuhiro Adachi (足立 光宏, Adachi Mitsuhiro; born 10 March 1940) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. Mitsuhiro played with the Hankyu Braves from 1959 to 1979. As one of the most relied upon pitchers for the Braves for two decades, Adachi was a part of nine Japan Series rosters for the Braves. He won the Pacific League MVP Award in 1967, going 20-10 with a 1.97 ERA as the Braves won their first ever Pacific League pennant. Unfortunately, the Braves ran head-on with the Yomiuri Giants, who were in the midst of established the most famed dynasty in NPB history. The Braves would run into the Giants five times from 1967 to 1972 in the Japan Series and lost each time. Adachi was named the Fighting Spirit Award winner (awarded to the best player on the losing team) twice in that span. The Braves returned to the Japan Series for a sixth time in 1975 and finally broke through. He had a no-decision in three of his starts, but the Braves didn't lose any games in the series, winning four and tying twice to prevail over Hiroshima in six games for their first championship. He won two of his starts the following Japan Series and then got a small bit of revenge against the Giants when the Braves defeated them in the 1977 Japan Series for Adachi's third and final championship. In his penultimate season in 1978, the Braves made it back to the Series one more time and lost in seven games, with Adachi (who went 1-1) winning the Fighting Spirit Award once again. No player has won the Fighting Spirit Award more than him. After his career ended, he served as a minor league pitching coach for the Braves and a scout for the Orix BlueWave.
Kazuhiko Sakazaki (坂崎一彦, Sakazaki Kazuhiko; January 5, 1938 – January 28, 2014) was a Japanese baseball player who…
Kazuhiko Sakazaki (坂崎一彦, Sakazaki Kazuhiko; January 5, 1938 – January 28, 2014) was a Japanese baseball player who played as an outfielder. Born in Toyonaka, Osaka, he played for the Yomiuri Giants (1956–1964) and the Toei Flyers (1965–1967). After he retired from baseball, he took over the electric construction family business, and was also a member of the "Japan Baseball Promotion Association". He died on January 28, 2014, from stomach cancer.
Masaaki Mori (森 祇晶, Mori Masaaki; born January 9, 1937) is a retired professional Japanese baseball player and manager.…
Masaaki Mori (森 祇晶, Mori Masaaki; born January 9, 1937) is a retired professional Japanese baseball player and manager. Mori played Nippon Professional Baseball from 1955–1974 as the catcher of the Yomiuri Giants. He was an eight-time Best Nine Award-winner (1961–1968) and the Japan Series MVP in 1967. He was selected to eleven Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Games. He was nicknamed "the brains of the V9 Dynasty", as he was the main catcher of the Yomiuri Giants V9 Dynasty. When his career ended in 1974, he asked newly-minted Giants manager Shigeo Nagashima for a job and was refused. After his retirement as a player, Mori managed the Seibu Lions from 1986 to 1994, leading the team to six Japan Series championships of the Invincible Seibu dynasty. He won the Matsutaro Shoriki Award in 1986 and 1990. He announced his impeding retirement from the Lions at the close of the 1994 Japan Series, although it was later speculated that management expressed it was time for a change. Mori managed the Yokohama BayStars in 2001 to 2002. Mori participated in 27 of the 73 Japan Series contested, as a player, coach, and manager, as of 2023, with him winning 21 of the 27, making him the most decorated individual in NPB history.
Ritsuo Horimoto (堀本律雄, Horimoto Ritsuo; January 20, 1935 – January 14, 2012) was a Japanese baseball pitcher. He played…
Ritsuo Horimoto (堀本律雄, Horimoto Ritsuo; January 20, 1935 – January 14, 2012) was a Japanese baseball pitcher. He played for the Yomiuri Giants from 1960 to 1962, winning both the Central League Rookie of the Year Award and the Eiji Sawamura Award in his first season. The Giants won the Japan Series the next year, and traded him for Toshio Yanagida at the end of the 1962 season. Horimoto closed his playing career with the Orions franchise, and coached the Yokohama Taiyo Whales in two stints from 1977 to 1978 and 1991 to 1992. He then joined the Nippon Ham Fighters coaching staff for two seasons, 1993 and 1994, followed by a return to coaching in 1997 with the Uni-President Lions, a Chinese Professional Baseball League team. Horimoto died of pneumonia in Yokohama on January 14, 2012, at the age of 76.
Kazuo Kageyama (蔭山 和夫, Kageyama Kazuo; January 16, 1927 – November 17, 1965) was a Japanese professional baseball third…
Kazuo Kageyama (蔭山 和夫, Kageyama Kazuo; January 16, 1927 – November 17, 1965) was a Japanese professional baseball third basemen and manager for the Nankai Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was named manager of the Hawks in November 1965, but died of a sleeping pill overdose later that month.
Yasuji Hondo (本堂 保次, Hondō Yasuji; March 18, 1918 - June 8, 1997) was a Nippon Professional Baseball second baseman and…
Yasuji Hondo (本堂 保次, Hondō Yasuji; March 18, 1918 - June 8, 1997) was a Nippon Professional Baseball second baseman and manager. He received the Best Nine Award as a second baseman in 1950.
Yuko Minamimura (南村 侑広, Minamimura Yukō; born April 17, 1917 – April 17, 1990) was a Nippon Professional Baseball…
Yuko Minamimura (南村 侑広, Minamimura Yukō; born April 17, 1917 – April 17, 1990) was a Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder. He became a professional baseball player at the age of 33, doing so for the Nishi Nippon Pirates. When the Pirates fizzled out after one season of play, he shuffled over to the Yomiuri Giants. From 1950 to 1953 he went by the name of Fukashi Minamimura. In the 1951 Japan Series, he batted .563 with nine hits that drove in four runs to lead the Yomiuri Giants to their first Japan Series championship. Minamimura was named Series MVP for his efforts. He became a bench player in 1956 and retired after the following season. He played in 774 games in NPB and batted .283. He became a coach and a baseball commentator in his post-playing career.
Toshio Kurosawa (黒沢 俊夫, Kurosawa Toshio; June 10, 1914 – June 23, 1947) was a Japanese baseball outfielder who played…
Toshio Kurosawa (黒沢 俊夫, Kurosawa Toshio; June 10, 1914 – June 23, 1947) was a Japanese baseball outfielder who played eight seasons in the Japanese Baseball League from 1936 to 1947. His career was cut short due to typhoid fever, from which he died at age 33. Kurosawa's number 4 was retired by his last club, the Yomiuri Giants, the same year, and was among the first to be retired in all of Japanese baseball.
Kazuyoshi Tatsunami (立浪 和義, Tatsunami Kazuyoshi; born August 19, 1969) is a former Japanese professional baseball…
Kazuyoshi Tatsunami (立浪 和義, Tatsunami Kazuyoshi; born August 19, 1969) is a former Japanese professional baseball infielder and manager. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons from 1988 to 2009. He was drafted in the first round in the 1987 NPB Draft.
Kouta Inoue (井上 広大, Inoue, Kouta; born August 12, 2001) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Chiba…
Kouta Inoue (井上 広大, Inoue, Kouta; born August 12, 2001) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Katsunori Nomura (野村 克則, Nomura Katsunori; born July 23, 1973) also called as Katsunori (カツノリ) is currently a Nippon…
Katsunori Nomura (野村 克則, Nomura Katsunori; born July 23, 1973) also called as Katsunori (カツノリ) is currently a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) coach for the Hanshin Tigers. Before coaching, he played in NPB from 1996 to 2006, primarily as a second or third-string catcher. Nomura was drafted in 1995 by the Yakult Swallows, the team managed by his father, catching-great and long-time manager Katsuya Nomura. Over the course of his playing career, his father managed him for five seasons with three different teams—two with the Swallows, two with the Hanshin Tigers and one with the Golden Eagles.