1980 Calbee Large: A Scarce and Intriguing Set (Part 8)

I managed to find my first card in a while for this run, #30 Masashi Takenouchi for the Tigers. Fitting, since I was in Osaka. Actually, Takenouchi played most of his career for the Lions rather than the Tigers it uh, bears mentioning. It was one of just five total 1980 Calbees the shop had. Did I mention these things are scarce? 

#30  Masashi Takenouchi - Outfielder (Hanshin)

 

Takenouchi had a penchant for being hit by pitches, leading the league 7 times in getting plunked. In Japanese, a hit-by-pitch is a bit confusingly known as a “dead ball.” The more stiff expression that shows up on stat lines is shikyu, literally dead-ball, but it is usually said as the English approximation “deddo boru.” This has nothing to do with the Dead Ball Era of baseball. 

 

#68  Jun Misawa - Pitcher (Chunichi)

 

On the 17th against the Giants Misawa went all-out, striking out 11 in a dazzling complete game performance for his first win of the season. Going back to last year, it was his 7th consecutive victory over the Giants.

 

#70  Kenichi Yazawa - Infielder (Chunichi)

 

Yazawa was named Central League MVP for April— one year on from his Achilles injury. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, he’s been hustling since Opening Day to see his average rise, too.

 

#71  Tsutomu Wakamatsu - Outfielder (Yakult)

As of the 30th, Wakamatsu is second in batting average. Through 16 games he has 24 hits in 64 at-bats with 10 RBI. He is tied with last year’s stolen base leader, Takahashi of Hiroshima, with 4 swiped bags.  

#72  Tomio Tashiro - Infiedler (Taiyo)

On the 20th against Chunichi, Tashiro sent one out to left in the 4th inning for his 3rd home run of the season. Getting a shot off a tricky shootball on the inside corner from Donoue is a particular skill of his.

#73  Yoshihiko Takahashi - Infielder (Hiroshima)

Takahashi has kept up his good hitting since the start of the season and is maintaining an average in the .300’s. If he gets on base you know he’ll be heading to second too. He’s got what it takes to surpass the 55 bases he stole last year.

#74  Takashi Imoto - Pitcher (Kintetsu)

Imoto is number one in shutouts in both the Central and Pacific Leagues. On the 7th against Nankai he gave up no walks and just 5 sporadic hits—a clinic that saw not one batter reach third. It was his tenth consecutive win against Nankai.