Masanori Murakami
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Masanori Murakami 村上 雅則 | |
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Pitcher | |
Born: Ōtsuki, Yamanashi, Empire of Japan | May 6, 1944|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
Professional debut | |
NPB: June 1, 1963, for the Nankai Hawks | |
MLB: September 1, 1964, for the San Francisco Giants | |
Last appearance | |
MLB: October 1, 1965, for the San Francisco Giants | |
NPB: October 3, 1982, for the Nippon Ham Fighters | |
NPB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 103–82 |
Earned run average | 3.64 |
Saves | 30 |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 5–1 |
Earned run average | 3.43 |
Strikeouts | 100 |
Teams | |
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Career highlights and awards | |
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Masanori "Mashi" Murakami (村上 雅則, Murakami Masanori, born May 6, 1944) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He is notable for being the
Biography
Murakami entered the Japanese
Murakami returned to the Hawks in
In 2004, Murakami was presented with the Foreign Minister's Certificate of Commendation in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Japan-US relationship by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.[6]
Murakami was honored by the
Pitching style
Murakami was not an overpowering pitcher. His fastball was only in the low to mid 80 mph range, even during his prime. His best pitch was a sharp screwball, which he learned in the majors, and he also threw a good changeup and curve. Also his rhythm offset major lead batters, returning the next pitch almost immediately after the ball was thrown back to him. He was a valuable reliever, being a left-hander throwing from the sidearm. His total record in two years in the majors was 5–1, 9 saves, with a 3.43 ERA in 54 games.
Language skills
Murakami could barely speak or understand English when he first came to the United States, and always had a dictionary on hand to communicate with teammates. When promoted to the majors, he was told to go to New York City (where the San Francisco Giants were playing), and was given his plane ticket on the spot. In New York, he signed a major league contract even though he could not read a single word written on the contract.
The authors of 1973's semi-satirical reference, The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book, stated that Murakami was "with the possible exception of Yogi Berra, the only major league ballplayer who did not speak English."
After retirement, he became a TV commentator for NHK television. He spent over a decade as a founding board member for the Special Olympics Japan promoting understanding about people with mental disabilities in Japan. He served as an advisor to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Japan and organized an annual golf charity competition that raises funds for good causes, including for victims the 9/11 terrorist attack. He promoted diversity by serving as the manager of Japan's national women's baseball team.[7]
Notes
- ^ Jaffe, Jay (April 27, 2017). "A look back at baseball's groundbreaking players from every continent". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- ^ "San Francisco Giants at New York Mets Box Score, September 1, 1964".
- ^ "Houston Colt .45's at San Francisco Giants Box Score, September 29, 1964".
- ^ "Masanori Murakami 1964 Pitching Game Logs".
- ^ "Masanori Murakami 1965 Pitching Game Logs".
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
- ^ Speech by Masanori Murakami on April 22, 2008 at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- "Where have you gone, Masanori Murakami?" at the Wayback Machine (archived October 24, 2003), Alexander Kleinberg, MLB.com, 24 December 2001.
- Japanese league stats and info of Masanori Murakami