Masafumi Kawaguchi (born February 19, 1973) is a Japanese former professional American football linebacker. He was born…
Masafumi Kawaguchi (born February 19, 1973) is a Japanese former professional American football linebacker. He was born in Kawanishi, Hyogo and introduced to football during his senior year at San Clemente High School in California, when he moved there at the age of 17. He enrolled at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto as an international relations major. He played for seven years with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe from 1997 to 2004. He was named to the All-NFL Europe Team in 1999. In 1998, he was among the first four Japanese players to participate in a National Football League training camp when he participated in the Green Bay Packers camp and played in the 1998 American Bowl in Tokyo. In 2003, he was invited to the San Francisco 49ers training camp in 2003, and participated in the American Bowl exhibition game in the Osaka game between the 49ers and the Washington Redskins. He signed with the 49ers in 2003 but was released before the start of the season. Kawaguchi played a key role on the Japanese national team that won the International Federation of American Football 1999 World Cup.
Famous People from Hyogo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture: 11 people
Masahiro Kotaka (小高正宏, Kotaka Masahiro; born February 18, 1960) is a retired Japanese weightlifter. He won a bronze…
Masahiro Kotaka (小高正宏, Kotaka Masahiro; born February 18, 1960) is a retired Japanese weightlifter. He won a bronze medal in the bantamweight category at the 1984 Summer Olympics, which was combined with the world championships.
Yutaka Enatsu (江夏 豊, Enatsu Yutaka; born May 15, 1948) is a Japanese former pitcher regarded as one of the best…
Yutaka Enatsu (江夏 豊, Enatsu Yutaka; born May 15, 1948) is a Japanese former pitcher regarded as one of the best Japanese strikeout pitchers of all-time. In 1968, he recorded 401 strikeouts, which is still the world record. Enatsu was a big player in the Black Mist Scandal which embroiled Japanese baseball from 1969 to 1971. In November 1970 he received a stern warning from the Central League president due to "involvement with persons in baseball gambling." He recorded nine consecutive strikeouts in one of the 1971 All-Star games, and 15 consecutive strikeouts in three of the All-Star games between 1970 and 1971. His consecutive strikeouts were broken up by Katsuya Nomura. The two records are still unbroken. A starting pitcher for the first part of his career, in 1977 he became a relief specialist, altogether accumulating 193 saves. While playing with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 1979, Enatsu was the Central League MVP, as he compiled a 9–5 record with a 2.67 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 104-2/3 innings. That year the Carp won the Central League pennant and the Japan Series. In 1981, with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, Enatsu was the Pacific League MVP, garnering 25 saves and a 2.82 ERA, as the Fighters won the Pacific League pennant. He is one of just two players to win the MVP in both leagues of NPB and the only one to do so until Michihiro Ogasawara. Enatsu joined the Milwaukee Brewers for spring training in 1985 at age 36 in an attempt to play Major League Baseball. Enatsu finished spring training with a 4.91 ERA in 11 innings and was among the team's final cuts before the season. He ranks fifth all-time in NPB history for strikeouts with 2,987. He has the most strikeouts of any player not in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Minoru Kamata (鎌田実, Kamata Minoru; 8 March 1939 – 1 August 2019) was a Japanese professional baseball second baseman.…
Minoru Kamata (鎌田実, Kamata Minoru; 8 March 1939 – 1 August 2019) was a Japanese professional baseball second baseman. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Osaka/Hanshin Tigers (1957–1966; 1970–1972) and Kintetsu Buffaloes (1967–1969). Kamata was known for defense, and was particularly adept at jump throws and backhand tosses, the latter of which was rare in Nippon Professional Baseball. In retirement, Kamata became a youth baseball coach, benefactor, and baseball commentator. Kamata was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2019, hospitalized for treatment in July, and died of the disease in an Ashiya, Hyōgo hospital on 1 August 2019.
Masaaki Koyama (小山 正明, Koyama Masaaki; July 28, 1934 – April 18, 2025) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher in…
Masaaki Koyama (小山 正明, Koyama Masaaki; July 28, 1934 – April 18, 2025) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Osaka / Hanshin Tigers from 1953 to 1963, the Tokyo / Lotte Orions from 1964 to 1972, and the Taiyo Whales in 1973. He is a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. A right-handed pitcher, Koyama threw hard and was known for his effective slider and pinpoint control. He ranks third all-time in the NPB in wins (320), strikeouts (3,159), innings pitched (4,899), and shutouts (74). He won 20 or more games 7 separate times, was selected to eleven All-Star teams, and won the 1962 Eiji Sawamura Award.
Tadao Takashima (高島忠夫, Takashima Tadao) (27 July 1930 – 26 June 2019) was a Japanese actor and jazz musician. He…
Tadao Takashima (高島忠夫, Takashima Tadao) (27 July 1930 – 26 June 2019) was a Japanese actor and jazz musician. He appeared in more than 100 films, including the Toho productions King Kong vs. Godzilla, Atragon, and Frankenstein vs. Baragon. He also performed in stage musicals such as My Fair Lady and appeared in several television shows.
Noboru Aota (青田 昇, Aota Noboru; November 22, 1924 – November 4, 1997) was a Japanese professional baseball player. An…
Noboru Aota (青田 昇, Aota Noboru; November 22, 1924 – November 4, 1997) was a Japanese professional baseball player. An outfielder, he played with the Tokyo Kyojin/Yomiuri Giants, Hankyu Braves, and Taiyo-Shochiku Robins from 1942 to 1959, playing in both the Japanese Baseball League and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). A five-time league home run champion, he was one of the first true sluggers of Japanese professional baseball despite being a frame of 5'7" and weight of just 171 lbs. Aota was selected as a Best Nine Award-winner five times and a NPB All-Star six separate times. In 2009, he was inducted to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Takehiko Bessho (別所 毅彦, Bessho Takehiko; October 1, 1922 – June 24, 1999), born Akira Bessho (別所 昭, Bessho Akira), was…
Takehiko Bessho (別所 毅彦, Bessho Takehiko; October 1, 1922 – June 24, 1999), born Akira Bessho (別所 昭, Bessho Akira), was a Japanese baseball player whose professional career as a player lasted from 1942 until 1960. Bessho first achieved fame as a pitcher in Japanese professional baseball; later, he served as a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) manager. Bessho spent his first five seasons in the Japanese Baseball League (the predecessor of NPB) with the Nankai franchise (1942–43, 1946–48) and his final 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants (1949–1960). He quickly established himself as a top pitcher and went on to earn two Sawamura Awards, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award, and six Best Nine Awards. In 1947, Bessho set the JBL record for most complete games in a single season (47). In addition, Bessho earned the NPB Most Valuable Player Award in 1952 and 1956. Bessho retired after the 1960 season with 310 wins, a 2.18 earned run average, and 1,932 strikeouts. Up until 2019, he was also the only Hawk to ever throw a no-hitter. After he retired from the sport as a player and a manager, Bessho became a sports broadcaster. In recognition of his accomplishments, the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Bessho in 1979.
Kaoru Betto (別当 薫, Bettō Kaoru; August 23, 1920 - April 16, 1999) was a Nippon Professional Baseball player and…
Kaoru Betto (別当 薫, Bettō Kaoru; August 23, 1920 - April 16, 1999) was a Nippon Professional Baseball player and manager. He made his professional debut as a 28-year old for the Ōsaka Tigers in 1948. He played for the team for two seasons. Betto achieved his most noted success for the Mainichi Orions from 1950 to 1957. In his first season with the Orions, Betto won the first Pacific League MVP Award and helped lead the team to victory in the first Japan Series; he batted .500 and had twelve hits with 3 RBIs during the Series to win the very first Japan Series MVP Award. As an outfielder, Betto was named to the Best Nine six straight times from 1948 to 1953. After his playing days ended, he became a manager for four different teams, where he had a managerial record of 1,237–1,156. Betto was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988.
Nagaharu Yodogawa (淀川 長治, Yodogawa Nagaharu; April 10, 1909, Kobe, Japan – November 11, 1998, Tokyo) was a Japanese…
Nagaharu Yodogawa (淀川 長治, Yodogawa Nagaharu; April 10, 1909, Kobe, Japan – November 11, 1998, Tokyo) was a Japanese film critic, historian, and television personality. Members of both the Japanese and foreign press have referred to him as the "giant of film critiques", a "cultural institution", as well as "Japan's most famous movie critic".
Shunichi Amachi (天知 俊一, Amachi Shunichi) (December 20, 1903 in Nishinomiya – March 12, 1976) was a Japanese baseball…
Shunichi Amachi (天知 俊一, Amachi Shunichi) (December 20, 1903 in Nishinomiya – March 12, 1976) was a Japanese baseball manager with the Chunichi Dragons and Nishitetsu Lions. He was inducted as a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970.