Time for what I think might be a bit of a Japanese baseball hot take: Koshien records aren’t that interesting. Did you know that some kids from Matsumoto Commercial High had 6 consecutive hits in 1924? Can you now picture an exhausted Jim Carrey at a hotel bar in Dumb & Dumber? "No, and I don't CAAARE!"
Five cards with five different Koshien records here for the “Baseball Museum” feature—a good idea with bad execution. Trivia is a mainstay of baseball cards. But given how totally dry most of these entries are, I’m glad Calbee phased it out eventually...
For the record, Koshien itself is great and I like watching it. I’m just pretty indifferent to lore that doesn’t involve prominent future pros. (Sadaharu Oh throwing a no-hitter at the tourney is an example of interesting Koshien trivia).
#21 Kurata - Pitcher (Giants)
Kurata has risen from the bottom of the heap through his hard work. He changed his mechanics and found great success last year. Now he is aiming to be one of the three pillars of the rotation with at least 20 wins.
[Baseball Museum] Summer High School Baseball Tournament Record for Most Home Runs (Single Game): 4HR at the 49th Tournament (1967), Hotoku vs. Omiya.
#36 Yazawa - First Baseman (Chunichi)A talent on the rise, this year Yazawa is aiming to hit .300 as the regular third hitter. He could be a dark horse candidate for the batting title.
[Baseball Museum] Summer High School Baseball Tournament Record for Most Hits (by team): 64 H = Naruto High (5 games, 32nd Tournament, 1950) (Individual): 12 H = Daigo (Narashino, 49th Tournament, 1967), Arai (PL Gakuen, 52nd Tournament, 1970)
#37 Takagi - Second Baseman (Chunichi)
Takagi is leader of the Dragons. As long as his lower back pain doesn’t flare up, it should be possible for him to make regular appearances.
[Baseball Museum] Summer High School Baseball Tournament Record for Most Hits (1 Game) Both teams combined for 40 H. 52nd Tournament (1970) Heian 19 H, Kumagai Commercial 21 H (10 inning game).
Photo: Back row from right - Takagi (Mori), Shimatani, Yazawa, In front - Hoshino.
#38 Shimatani - Third Baseman (Chunichi)Shimatani is the team’s resident power hitter. If he irons out his imperfections he could hit 4th.
[Baseball Museum] Summer High School Baseball Tournament Record for Most Hits (1 Inning) 9 H by one team, PL Gakuen against Komatsu Commercial, 52nd Tournament (1970).
#39 Kimata - Catcher (Chunichi)
Last year Kimata ended the year in a slump, but this year he is still expected to produce as the number 4 hitter.
[Baseball Museum] Summer High School Baseball Tournament Record for Most Consecutive Hits (Team) 6 H = Matsumoto Commercial (10th Tournament, 1924). (Individual) 6 H = Nishikawa (Komatsu Commercial, 52nd Tournament, 1970).
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