Manabu Kitabeppu
Encyclopedia
, is a Japanese
former professional baseball pitcher, the first-round draft pick of the Hiroshima Carp in 1975 and one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the because from his perfect control pitching, and his nickname was Pei-San (ペイさん).
He struggled his first few seasons, then went 17-11 with a 3.58 ERA to make his first All-Star team in 1979. It was the first of five consecutive All-Star picks for Kitabeppu, who helped the team to a Japan Series
title in 1980.
In 1982 Kitabeppu went 20-8 with a 2.43 ERA, easily his best year to that point. He led the Central League
with 267.3 innings, won the most games on the mound and was fourth in ERA. He won his first Eiji Sawamura Award that season and also was named to the Best Nine.
His streak of All-Star selections ended in 1984, though he continued to pitch well in '84 and '85. In 1986 Kitabeppu had his best season, going 18-4 with a 2.43 ERA. He led the circuit once again in victories, won his only ERA crown, led in complete games (17) and shutouts (4), won his only Gold Glove and in addition to the Best Nine and Sawamura, won his only MVP award as the Carp returned to the Japan Series, but failed to win.
Kitabeppu again was an All-Star in '88 but posted losing records from '87 through '89, once with an ERA of 5.48. The former star allowed the most runs in 1988 (87) and the most homers (22). The next season he again surrendered the most home runs, also 22. In 1989 he was in the minor leagues for the first time in his career.
He emerged resurgent from his trials and after a decent season in 1990, in 1991 he went 11-4 with a 3.38 ERA. He made his seventh All-Star team in 1992, with 14 wins in 22 decisions, and a 2.58 ERA. It was his lowest ERA and most victories since his MVP season of '86. The Carp made their third Japan Series of the Kitabeppu era, but lost to the Seibu Lions
. Still just 34, Kitabeppu reached 200 career wins.
It was his last good season - he would pitch 24 more games, going 9-9, with ERAs over 5 each time, before retiring. His career line with Hiroshima was 213-141 with a 3.67 ERA.
Since Kitabeppu, only one pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball (Kimiyasu Kudoh
) has reached 200 victories. Kitabeppu ranks 17th all-time in wins, 20th in innings (3,113), 26th in strikeouts (1,757), 9th in hits allowed (3,225) and 4th in homers surrendered (380, the Central League record).
After retiring, Kitabeppu became an announcer and then the pitching coach for the Carp.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
former professional baseball pitcher, the first-round draft pick of the Hiroshima Carp in 1975 and one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the because from his perfect control pitching, and his nickname was Pei-San (ペイさん).
He struggled his first few seasons, then went 17-11 with a 3.58 ERA to make his first All-Star team in 1979. It was the first of five consecutive All-Star picks for Kitabeppu, who helped the team to a Japan Series
Japan Series
, or is the annual championship series in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top baseball league in Japan. It is a seven-game series between the winning clubs of the league's two circuits, the Central League and the Pacific League....
title in 1980.
In 1982 Kitabeppu went 20-8 with a 2.43 ERA, easily his best year to that point. He led the Central League
Central League
The or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League...
with 267.3 innings, won the most games on the mound and was fourth in ERA. He won his first Eiji Sawamura Award that season and also was named to the Best Nine.
His streak of All-Star selections ended in 1984, though he continued to pitch well in '84 and '85. In 1986 Kitabeppu had his best season, going 18-4 with a 2.43 ERA. He led the circuit once again in victories, won his only ERA crown, led in complete games (17) and shutouts (4), won his only Gold Glove and in addition to the Best Nine and Sawamura, won his only MVP award as the Carp returned to the Japan Series, but failed to win.
Kitabeppu again was an All-Star in '88 but posted losing records from '87 through '89, once with an ERA of 5.48. The former star allowed the most runs in 1988 (87) and the most homers (22). The next season he again surrendered the most home runs, also 22. In 1989 he was in the minor leagues for the first time in his career.
He emerged resurgent from his trials and after a decent season in 1990, in 1991 he went 11-4 with a 3.38 ERA. He made his seventh All-Star team in 1992, with 14 wins in 22 decisions, and a 2.58 ERA. It was his lowest ERA and most victories since his MVP season of '86. The Carp made their third Japan Series of the Kitabeppu era, but lost to the Seibu Lions
Seibu Lions
The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based west of Tokyo in Tokorozawa, Saitama. Before 1979, they were based in Fukuoka in Kyushu. The team is owned by a subsidiary of Prince Hotels, which in turn is owned by the Seibu Group...
. Still just 34, Kitabeppu reached 200 career wins.
It was his last good season - he would pitch 24 more games, going 9-9, with ERAs over 5 each time, before retiring. His career line with Hiroshima was 213-141 with a 3.67 ERA.
Since Kitabeppu, only one pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball (Kimiyasu Kudoh
Kimiyasu Kudoh
is a left-handed pitcher for the Pacific League's Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball . He has recorded 224 career wins...
) has reached 200 victories. Kitabeppu ranks 17th all-time in wins, 20th in innings (3,113), 26th in strikeouts (1,757), 9th in hits allowed (3,225) and 4th in homers surrendered (380, the Central League record).
After retiring, Kitabeppu became an announcer and then the pitching coach for the Carp.
Career
- 1st pitch, September 16, 1976
- 1st win, October 12, 1976
- MVPMost Valuable PlayerIn sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
in the Japanese Central League, 1986 - Eiji Sawamura Award winner, 1982 and 1986
- Greatest Number of Wins, 1982 and 1986
- Best Winning Average, 1980, 1981 and 1991
- Best ERAEarned run averageIn baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, 1986 - Best Nine of the year, 1982 and 1986
- Gold Glove AwardGold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
winner, 1986 - Japan All-star gameAll-star gameAn all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used...
, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988 and 1992 - HiroshimaHiroshima Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Hiroshima.- History :The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded...
Prefectural Prize of Honour, 1994 - 213 WWin (baseball)In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
, 5 SSave (sport)In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, 135 CGComplete gameIn baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
, 28 ShutoutShutoutIn team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s and 1757 KStrikeoutIn baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
. - Hiroshima Carp Pitching Coach from 2001 to 2004
statistics
| Year | Team | No. Squad number In team sports, the squad number, shirt number, jersey number, sweater number, uniform number or simply a number is the number worn on a player's uniform, to identify and distinguish each player from others wearing the same or similar uniforms... |
GP Games pitched In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while... |
W Win (baseball) In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only... |
L | S Save (sport) In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers... |
IP Innings pitched In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two... |
K Strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters.... |
ERA Earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine... |
Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 1976 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over New York Yankees ; Johnny Bench, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Veterans Stadium: National League, 7-1; George Foster, MVP-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Naranjeros de Hermosillo... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 29.1 | 18 | 4.03 | |
| 1977 1977 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None*National League Championship Series MVP: Dusty Baker... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 33 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 131.2 | 90 | 5.32 | |
| 1978 1978 in baseball -Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Indios de Mayagüez *College World Series: USC*Japan Series: Yakult Swallows over Hankyu Braves *Little League World Series: Pin-Kuang, Pin-Tung, Taiwan-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 39 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 177.0 | 98 | 4.58 | |
| 1979 1979 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Baltimore Orioles ; Willie Stargell, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None.*National League Championship Series MVP: Willie Stargell... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 36 | 17 | 11 | 0 | 215.2 | 155 | 3.58 | League Champion, Japan Series Champion |
| 1980 1980 in baseball -Major League Baseball:World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals ; Mike Schmidt, MVP*American League Championship Series: Frank White, MVP*National League Championship Series Manny Trillo, MVP... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 30 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 177.2 | 82 | 4.04 | Best Winning Average, League Champion, Japan Series Champion |
| 1981 1981 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPsNOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 32 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 226.1 | 123 | 3.31 | Best Winning Average |
| 1982 1982 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals*World Series MVP: Darrell Porter**American League Championship Series MVP: Fred Lynn**National League Championship Series MVP: Darrell Porter... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 36 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 267.1 | 184 | 2.43 | Sawamura Award winner, Greatest Number of Wins, Best 9 |
| 1983 1983 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies ; Rick Dempsey, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Mike Boddicker*National League Championship Series MVP: Gary Matthews... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 33 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 215.2 | 106 | 3.96 | |
| 1984 1984 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Detroit Tigers over San Diego Padres ; Alan Trammell, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Kirk Gibson*National League Championship Series MVP: Steve Garvey... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 32 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 203.2 | 99 | 3.31 | League Champion, Japan Series Champion |
| 1985 1985 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Kansas City Royals over St. Louis Cardinals ; Bret Saberhagen, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: George Brett*National League Championship Series MVP: Ozzie Smith... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 35 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 199.0 | 85 | 3.57 | |
| 1986 1986 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox ; Ray Knight, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marty Barrett*National League Championship Series MVP: Mike Scott... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 30 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 230.0 | 123 | 2.43 | MVP, Sawamura Award winner, Greatest Number of Wins, Best ERA, Best 9, Gold Glove Award, League Champion |
| 1987 1987 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Minnesota Twins over St. Louis Cardinals ; Frank Viola, MVP**American League Championship Series: Gary Gaetti, MVP**National League Championship Series: Jeff Leonard, MVP... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 29 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 181.1 | 119 | 4.37 | |
| 1988 1988 in baseball See also: 1988 Major League Baseball season-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Oakland Athletics ; Orel Hershiser, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dennis Eckersley... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 27 | 11 | 12 | 0 | 209.2 | 112 | 3.13 | |
| 1989 1989 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over San Francisco Giants ; Dave Stewart, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Rickey Henderson*National League Championship Series MVP: Will Clark... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 22 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 110.0 | 69 | 5.48 | |
| 1990 1990 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 98.1 | 58 | 4.39 | |
| 1991 1991 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Minnesota Twins over Atlanta Braves ; Jack Morris, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Kirby Puckett*National League Championship Series MVP: Steve Avery... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 25 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 141.1 | 73 | 3.38 | Best Winning Average, League Champion |
| 1992 1992 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Atlanta Braves ; Pat Borders, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Roberto Alomar*National League Championship Series MVP: John Smoltz... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 26 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 181.1 | 101 | 2.58 | |
| 1993 1993 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 69.0 | 38 | 5.22 | |
| 1994 1994 in baseball -Headline events of the year:As a result of a players' strike, the MLB season ends prematurely on August 11, 1994. No postseason is played... |
Hiroshima | 20 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50.2 | 24 | 5.68 | |
| TOTALS | - | 515 | 213 | 141 | 5 | 3113.0 | 1757 | 3.67 | - | |
External links
- Japanese Baseball Daily
- This article borrows from the article of the same name in Baseball Reference.com's Bullpen. The Bullpen is a wiki, and its content is available under the GNU free documentation licenseGNU Free Documentation LicenseThe GNU Free Documentation License is a copyleft license for free documentation, designed by the Free Software Foundation for the GNU Project. It is similar to the GNU General Public License, giving readers the rights to copy, redistribute, and modify a work and requires all copies and...
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