Takehiko Bessho
Takehiko Bessho 別所 毅彦 | ||
---|---|---|
Shutouts 72 | | |
Innings pitched | 4,350.2 | |
Strikeouts | 1,934 | |
Career statistics | ||
Batting average | .254 | |
Hits | 500 | |
Home runs | 35 | |
Run batted in | 248 | |
Teams | ||
As player
As coach
As manager
| ||
Career highlights and awards | ||
| ||
Member of the Japanese | ||
Baseball Hall of Fame | ||
Induction | 1979 | |
Election method | Selection Committee for Players |
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
Bessho spent his first five
After he retired from the sport as a player and a manager, Bessho became a sports broadcaster.[1] In recognition of his accomplishments, the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Bessho in 1979.[1]
Biography
Early life and education
Raised solely by his mother, Besho grew up in
In 1940 and 1941, Bessho appeared in the
Professional career
Nankai
In 1942, Bessho joined the Nankai
In December of that year, the Japanese army
In 1947 he won and completed 47 games, still a Nippon Pro Baseball record, of which he was proud for many years. For his efforts, Bessho became the inaugural winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award. He would win the award again in 1955.
Yomiuri Giants
In the late part of 1948 he moved to the Yomiuri Giants. This became a big scandal in Japanese sports journalism, known as the Bessho head-hunting Incident (ja: 別所引き抜き事件) which led the league to put sanctions on him which prohibit him playing for two months. For the Yomiuri Giants, he was still a star.
In 1956, the
In 1960 he was a player and pitching coach for the Yomiuri Giants. At the end of season he retired and remained on the team as coach. His 310 victories were the NPB all-time record when he retired. During his career, Bessho won six Best Nine Awards, more than any other pitcher in history.
Post-playing career
From 1964 till 1966 he was the pitching coach of the
From then he give commentaries at
In 1979 he was nominated to Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1992 he surmounted to the presidency of the Yomiuri Giants Old Boy Club, succeeding Tetsuharu Kawakami.
Death
In 1999, he died at his home at the age of 76.
Records and awards
- Lifetime records as pitcher: playing in 662 games (335 completed), 310 wins, 178 losses, winning average .635, ERA 2.18
- Lifetime records as batter: playing in 828 games, batting average .254, 500 hits, 35 home-runs, 91 walks, 2 hit-by-pitch, RBI 248
- Yamato Team)
- Best Nine Award (Pitcher): 1947, 1948, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1956
References
- ^ a b c d "Takehiko Bessho Cards". robsjapanesecards.com. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ "Past Hawks Stars". baywell.ne.jp. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Cases for Cooperstown". baseballguru.com. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f "Pitching info". japanbaseballdaily.com. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ "Box score". walteromalley.com. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ Wilbert, Warren N. The Shutout in Major League Baseball: A History (McFarland, 2013), p. 108.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)