Collecting and Translating the 1973 Calbee Flag-Backs (110, 142, 144, 146, 147)

A reminder that you can see the archive of all 73 Calbees I have translated here, and introductions to the set here and here. 

#110  Ueda - Pitcher (Hanshin)

Will He Be the First Pitcher to 20 Wins?!

This season, Ueda’s stamina has allowed him to pitch many complete games, and he’s proved himself an ace in Enatsu’s stead. It’s said that underhand throwers have poor command, but Ueda’s control of the outside corner is unrivaled, with his slider being particularly good. Up until last year he had not achieved more than 9 wins, but this year he already has double that amount, making it all but certain he’ll be first to 20 wins. He’s been a key component during the Tigers’ race to the top.

#142  Oh - First Baseman (Giants)

Unfazed by Adversity,  Oh 

Aiming to be the home run king 12 years running, Oh’s bat continues to roar. Even facing Yakult’s Asano is no big deal—with one huge blast, Wan-chan got #33 and broke it down thus: “It’s like a headwind, right? The ball takes flight like an airplane faces the wind as it takes off. I just give it some lift.”

 

#144  Oh - First Baseman (Giants)

Oh: Sprinting Toward the Triple Crown

The Triple Crown is defined as one player achieving the highest average, the most home runs, and the most RBI. In the Pacific League it has been achieved once—by Katsuya Nomura of Nankai in 1965. In the Central League it has never been done, but now Oh of the Giants is looking to break through. His average leads second place by a wide margin, making it all but decided. 

 

#146  Oh - First Baseman (Giants)

 

Home Run Pace Comparison Table for Oh

Oh finished the ‘73 season just 4 HR off his record of 55. It’s interesting to see how much the pace evens out by the end. ‘64 Oh started scorching and cooled off, ‘73 Oh heated up later. 

 

#147  Nagashima - Third Baseman (Giants)

A Cooled-Off Nagashima 

Against Yakult at Jingu Stadium on August 27th, the Giants bats exploded for 23 hits and 18 runs. Although 5 players collected heavy-hitting awards (3 or more hits), curiously only Nagashima had not a single hit on the day. Of course in tense, close contests Nagashima’s true self will inevitably come out. Mr. Pro Baseball isn’t called “a man on fire” for nothing.

In Japan, “heavy hitting” is recorded for games where a player gets three or more hits. Players who manage the feat have traditionally been given prizes by team sponsors. As such, the stat itself is known as a “heavy hitting award.” Players being given prizes for personal achievements is still a thing, although the practice is maybe not quite as prominent as it used to be. I have seen players given anything from a year’s supply of some foodstuff to a car.