Collecting and Translating the 1973 Calbee Bat-Backs (Part 13)

 I mentioned last time that cards #64-72 come with or without player and team information on the front. I currently have eight of these nine cards and only one of mine (#67) is a text-on-front version. In addition, all of the examples appearing in Yoshinori Mori’s 1973 Calbee guide are textless. This leads me to believe that the textless versions are likely more common.

#67  Yazawa - First Baseman (Chunichi)

Going for the Batting Title,  Yazawa

Yazawa graduated from Waseda University and went on to win Rookie of the Year his debut season. He’s still hustling this year as well, his fourth in the pros. With a .315 average at the halfway point, he’s in hot pursuit of the batting title. Whether stroking it to left or pulling it to right, his sharp swing always brings out the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs.’ Having come this far, .300 alone isn’t enough—it’s that batting crown he’s after.  That’s the spirit, Yazawa!

#68  Takagi - Second Baseman (Chunichi)

An Understated Master,  Takagi (Mori)

A 14-year veteran since coming to Chunichi out of prestigious Gifu Commercial High, Takagi is said to have the fate of the first place Dragons on his shoulders. He’s not flashy, but the subtle deftness of his all-around game makes him now more than ever the Dragons’ guardian angel.

#69  Kimata - Catcher (Chunichi)

Battle Axe Batting Style,  Kimata

Although Kimata is relatively small for a catcher, come game time he’s brimming with fight there in the batter’s box—the golden boy wielding his axe. If he tomahawks the ball it’s sure to make a beeline to the outfield stands. Count on it. The pitching staff does when they’ve got a lead. Go for it, you handsome devil!

This card actually makes reference to a specific golden boy: Kintaro, a boy-hero of Japanese folklore who wields an axe with super human strength. Although his name is a direct translation, I opted for the generic terminology given a lack of familiarity with the character outside Japan.

#70  Inaba - Pitcher (Chunichi)

The Air of an Ace,  Inaba

The Dragons have a plethora of pitchers. Whether it’s Hoshino, Shibuya, Misawa, Matsumoto, Mizutani, Ito, or of course Inaba—each member is part of the same well-oiled machine in a season that sees them in the running for first place. Although they are all earning their wins with consistency, it is Inaba among them who can be rightly deemed an ace. He is falling a bit short compared to his 20-win effort last year, but he will no doubt do his best to heat up with the summer.

#71  Takagi - Second Baseman (Chunichi)

Commander of the Squad,  Takagi (Mori)

A lead-off batter’s role is to get on base by any means necessary. Speed and astute base running skills are also requirements. Commentators agree that among the 12 clubs, the player who checks these boxes fully may very well be Takagi. A .297 average. 76 hits. 20 walks.  Add on 14 steals and you can see just how much he contributes to his team’s wins. Way to rally the troops!