Tsunemi Tsuda

Tsunemi Tsuda
Pitcher
Born: August 1, 1960
Shūnan, Yamaguchi, Japan
Died: July 20, 1993 (aged 32)
Fukuoka, Japan
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
NPB debut
April 10, 1982, for the Hiroshima Carp
Last NPB appearance
April 14, 1991, for the Hiroshima Carp
NPB statistics
Earned run average3.31
Wins49
Saves90
Complete games19
Shutouts2
Strikeouts542
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the Japanese
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction2012

Tsunemi Tsuda (津田 恒実, Tsuda Tsunemi, August 1, 1960 – July 20, 1993) was a Japanese baseball player of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League.

He was one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the "Stopper of Flame" (炎のストッパー, Honou-no-Stopper) because from his pitching style with the fastball. His nickname was "Tsune-Gon"(ツネゴン).

He was born in Shūnan, Yamaguchi. He retired in 1991, and died of brain tumor in 1993, when he was 32 years old.

His memorial plate, found at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, is inscribed with the words "We will never forget about his fastball, smile, courage and bravery".

He led his team in two Japan Series and won one title (1984).

Career

Statistics

Year Team No. GP W L S IP ER K ERA Titles
1982 Hiroshima 15 31 11 6 0 166.2 72 114 3.88 Rookie of the Year
1983 Hiroshima 15 19 9 3 0 132.2 45 82 3.07
1984 Hiroshima 15 14 3 4 1 54.1 28 30 4.64 Japan Series Champion
1985 Hiroshima 14 22 2 3 1 42.0 31 36 6.64
1986 Hiroshima 14 49 4 6 22 69.1 16 81 2.08 Comeback Player of the Year, League Champion
1987 Hiroshima 14 47 3 4 18 65.2 12 160 1.64
1988 Hiroshima 14 47 5 9 20 72.1 31 56 3.86
1989 Hiroshima 14 51 12 5 28 83.0 15 75 1.63 Relief Man of the Year
1990 Hiroshima 14 4 0 0 0 6.2 2 7 2.70
1991 Hiroshima 14 2 0 1 0 1.0 3 1 27.00 hospitalized before League Champion
TOTALS - 286 49 41 90 693.0 255 542 3.31 -

Honours

  • The minor planet 79254 Tsuda was named in his memory on June 1, 2007.[1]

Media

Books

  • Just One More Pitch - The Fastball Life of Red-Hot Reliever Tsuda Tsunemi (ISBN 4-87728-743-4) - NHK Books (1994)
  • The Last Strike (two years and three months with Tsuda Tsunemi) (ISBN 4-87728-607-1) - Keibunsha (1995)

Documentary and Drama

  • Just One More Pitch: The Fastball Life of Red-Hot Reliever Tsuda Tsunemi - NHK (1994)
  • The Last Strike - Fuji Television (2000)

References

  1. ^ "79254 Tsuda (1994 YJ)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved January 3, 2016.