Tomoaki Makino (槙野 智章, Makino Tomoaki; born 11 May 1987) is a professional football manager and former Japanese…Tomoaki Makino (槙野 智章, Makino Tomoaki; born 11 May 1987) is a professional football manager and former Japanese footballer who played as a centre back. He has represented the Japan national team internationally until 2019. He is set to be manager of J2 League club, Fujieda MYFC from 2026.
Choji Murata (村田 兆治, 27 November 1949 – 11 November 2022) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He…Choji Murata (村田 兆治, 27 November 1949 – 11 November 2022) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He played for the Tokyo/Lotte Orions over the period 1968 to 1990. Murata led the Pacific League in Earned run average in 1975 and 1976. In 1976 he won 21 games, the only time he won 20 games or more in his career. Overuse of Murata's pitching arm led to extreme pain and injury, and ultimately Murata was forced to undergo Tommy John elbow surgery, performed in 1982 by Dr. Frank Jobe in California. (Murata was the first Japanese pitcher to undergo the procedure.) As a result, Murata missed much of the 1982 season, all of the 1983 season, and most of the 1984 season during his recovery. Rebounding in 1985 with a 17–5 record, Murata won the Nippon Professional Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award. In 1989 he again led the Pacific League in ERA. Retiring in 1990 with 200+ career wins, Murata became a member of Meikyukai. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2008, Murata served on the Eiji Sawamura Award selection committee. On 23 September 2022, Murata was arrested at Haneda airport for allegedly assaulting a customs agent. On 11 November 2022, Murata's house in Seijo, Setagaya, Tokyo, caught on fire during the early morning. Subsequently, he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead due to carbon monoxide poisoning at age 72.
Haruki Ihara (伊原 春樹, Ihara Haruki; born January 18, 1949) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played…Haruki Ihara (伊原 春樹, Ihara Haruki; born January 18, 1949) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Nishitetsu Lions, and continued his entire career with them. From 2002 to 2003, he was the manager of the Seibu Lions, as well as the Orix BlueWave in 2004. His daughter, Natsuna Ihara, is a model and actress.
Kazumi Takahashi (高橋一三, Takahashi Kazumi; June 9, 1946 – July 14, 2015) was a Japanese baseball pitcher. He played and…Kazumi Takahashi (高橋一三, Takahashi Kazumi; June 9, 1946 – July 14, 2015) was a Japanese baseball pitcher. He played and coached for the Yomiuri Giants and the Nippon Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. He died of multiple organ failure in 2015 at the age of 69.
Fumio Fujimura (藤村 富美男, Fujimura Fumio; August 14, 1916 – May 28, 1992) was a Japanese baseball infielder and pitcher…Fumio Fujimura (藤村 富美男, Fujimura Fumio; August 14, 1916 – May 28, 1992) was a Japanese baseball infielder and pitcher who played 22 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1936 to 1958. He began his career as a stellar right-handed pitcher for the Osaka Tigers, but achieved his greatest fame as a hitter. A superstitious player, Fujimura never hurt insects or shaved before games. He was also hot-tempered, as he was once suspended for physically abusing an umpire. In 1950, Fujimura set the single-season record with 191 base hits. This record remained unbroken for 44 years, until Ichiro Suzuki surpassed it in 1994. Fujimura was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. His number "10" has been retired by the Hanshin Tigers.
Shinji Hamazaki (浜崎 真二, 10 December 1901 – May 6, 1981) was a Japanese baseball player and manager. Thought short in…Shinji Hamazaki (浜崎 真二, 10 December 1901 – May 6, 1981) was a Japanese baseball player and manager. Thought short in stature, Hamazaki was well known for his forceful personality. He is a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. Hamazaki attended Hiroshima Shogyo High School and Keio University. Hamazaki was signed at age 45 by the Hankyu Braves in 1947 prior to the draft, having previously played for the Chinese mainland Industrial League Mantetsu Club. He began as a player-manager for the Braves. In 1950, at age 48 years, 4 months, Hamazki became the oldest Japanese pitcher to win a professional game. That record stood until September 5, 2014, when Masahiro Yamamoto, aged 49 years, 25 days, defeated the Hanshin Tigers. Finally retiring as a player in 1950, Hamazaki continued managing the Braves through 1953. He later managed the Takahashi/Tombo Unions and the Kokutetsu Swallows. His career managing record was 535-639, a .456 winning percentage.
