Hiroshi Ohshita
Hiroshi Ohshita | |
---|---|
Outfielder | |
Born: Kobe, Japan | December 15, 1922|
Died: May 23, 1979 | (aged 56)|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
Japanese Baseball League debut | |
1945, for the Senators | |
Last NPB appearance | |
1959, for the Nishitetsu Lions | |
Career statistics | |
Batting average | .304 |
Runs batted in | 1226 |
Home runs | 301 |
Teams | |
As player
As coach | |
Member of the Japanese | |
Baseball Hall of Fame | |
Induction | 1980 |
Hiroshi Ohshita (大下 弘, Ōshita Hiroshi, December 15, 1922 – May 23, 1979), also spelled Oshita, was a Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder who began his career after World War II. Known for his trademark blue bat,[1] he hit a record 20 home runs in a season and was home run king and leading hitter three times for the Toei Flyers. Ohshita was also a heavy hitter with the Nishitetsu Lions of the Pacific League during the 1950s.
Early life
Ohshita was born in Sannomiya, Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture on December 15, 1922. His father died in war when he was a child; his family moved to Gaoshun, Taiwan, where he grew up. Ohshita graduated from Gaoshun Commercial High School, and was recruited by Tairiku Watanabe to attend Meiji University, a private university in Japan which was noted for its baseball program. Meiji University belongs to the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League, an intercollegiate league with five other schools: Waseda University, Keio University, Rikkyo University, Hosei University and the University of Tokyo; Ohshita played for the Meiji University baseball team. During World War II, he was a second lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army and trained as a kamikaze pilot before the war's end on August 15, 1945.
Career
Ohshita joined the Japanese Professional Baseball League in 1946, playing for the Senators and hitting a record 20
After the 1951 season Ohshita was traded to the Nishitetsu Lions, with whom he won the 1954
Ohshita's uniform number (3) was retired by the Lions, but he wore it again later as manager of the Tokyo Toei Flyers in 1968. He was a hitting coach for the Hankyu Braves in 1961, before becoming a baseball commentator. When managing the Flyers, Ohshita used no signs in games and his players had no curfew; when the team finished last in the Pacific League, he was fired by its owner after the season. Ohshita was again a hitting coach for the Taiyo Whales in 1974 and 1975. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980, the year after his death.[3]
Personal life
Ohshita was married to Tetsuko, and they had three children: a son, Masaru and two daughters, Hiroko and Hiromi. For years following his professional career, Ohshita coached youth baseball. After suffering a stroke in June 1978, he died May 23, 1979, and is entombed in the Wakaba district of
See also
References
- ^ Whiting, Robert. "Kawakami was Japanese baseball's first Zen master," Japan Times (Nov. 26, 2013).
- ^ Japanese MVP Winners Archived from the original 2012-05-21.
- ^ Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame Archived from the original 2012-05-21.
Bibliography
- Hiroshi Ohshita, "The Diary of Hiroshi Ohshita". Baseball Magazine, 1980.
- Hiroshi Ohshita and Jun Henmi, The Rainbow Life. Shinchosha, 1992.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)