1973 Calbee Translation Archive
This page serves as the master archive of all the 1973 Calbee cards I have translated. Cards are presented here in numerical order and without the occasional extra commentary provided in the original posts in which they appear.
#4 Nagashima - Third Baseman (Giants)
In college (Rikkyo University), Nagashima rewrote the record books as a home run hitter. Since joining the Giants he's been smashing them as a pro. It's been said that a player as great as him comes once in a decade. To understand the difference between Nagashima and other players, consider how Nagashima, even if his form is off, will still excel with an almost animalistic instinct for getting the bat on the ball.
#8 Oh - First Baseman (Giants)
#10 Oh - First Baseman (Giants)
The Giants' defense is an iron wall. Above all, when it shifts for a bunt, the batter must worry about whether Oh at first or Nagashima at third will get the ball, no matter how he lays it down. Swing for the fences and risk striking out. Try to force a bunt and get caught in a double play. Oh’s defense at first is a model for other players.
#13 Horiuchi - Pitcher (Giants)
Cheerful Horiuchi
#15 Horiuchi - Pitcher (Giants)
Lefty Ace! Kazumi Takahashi
An unshakable leadoff man brimming with fight. Shibata, a batter capable of going yard, has also hit third in the order but has since put aside any lingering attachment to home runs to focus on squaring up the ball. The result was a .293 average last year, one step closer to his goal of .300. This year more than ever has Shibata resolved to make contact and join the ranks of the .300 hitters. Leadoff is a key point for the Giants order, and he has become reliable as the point man for ON. Count on even more of the same this year.
#19 Shibata - Outfielder (Giants)
Shibata's Batting Record
#20 Shibata - Outfielder (Giants)
#21 Takada - Outfielder (Giants)
Call It: A .300 Average! Takada
The Giants faithful are not just fans of ON. Ask any fan what it is they love about Takada and they will tell you: defense. Especially on a line drive, watch Takada snag the would-be double and hurl it to second. On a flyball towards the left field bleachers, he’ll make the catch with a perfectly timed jump right at the fence. He isn’t called ‘The Magician of the Fence’ for nothing.
#23 Doi - Second Baseman (Giants)
Team-Player Doi
Although small in stature, Doi made the Giants starting lineup. Just like the old saying, “Little grains of sansho tingle and burn,” he causes pains for the opposing team. With a runner on first it’s hard to know what to do against him. His hitting prowess alone keeps opponents on their toes and filled with trepidation, but if he's allowed to bunt, he won’t miss either. Though undersized, Doi’s grit can put bigger men to shame. Never underestimate someone smaller than you.
#24 Doi - Second Baseman (Giants)
#25 Mori - Catcher (Giants)
Wingman Mori
Mori’s name will be mentioned among the greatest catchers in baseball history. Now in his 19th year as a backstop, he has unquestionably become the starting nine’s wingman. As the defensive cornerstone this season also, he must train his understudies Yoshida and Ano well. After all, he is the team’s battery coach too. Busy with his dual role, he has been counting on Yoshida a lot more.
#26 Mori - Catcher (Giants)
Mori’s 10-Year Batting Record
#27 Yoshida - Catcher (Giants)
Every year, Yoshida is expected to take the reins from Mori, but his passivity has proved to be a problem. Starting last year and on into this season, his composure has increased and he has displayed an assertiveness not seen before. Now Yoshida is eager to shoot for the starting role. If he works on his pitch calling a bit more, there will be no qualms about his defense. The question is batting. Some experts note that if Yoshida can hit around .280 it’s possible he will overtake Mori for the full-time job.
#28 Kuroe - Shortstop (Giants)
Kuroe’s Fighting Spirit
#30 Sekimoto - Pitcher (Giants)
Sugawara is a valuable arm for the Giants. Whether he can challenge the record for most consecutive wins in one stadium is a hot topic. With 15 straight victories at Korakuen, he has been raring to break Inao’s mark of 19 in a row (Heiwadai) since opening day. An efficient pitcher who’s once again a stranger to the loss column, he is 33-8 for his career—good for an .805 winning percentage. Especially pitching at Korakuen does Sugawara display unrivaled strength. Head over and see him when he takes the mound.
#32 Sugawara - Pitcher (Giants)
With decent range, Yanagida has made his presence known as a clutch pinch hitter from the left side of the plate. This year marks the fifth since he was acquired from Nishitetsu, and he is really finding his stride.
Yanagida's Giants Batting Record
#34 Doi - Second Base (Giants)
With great speed to the right or left, Doi will put his whole body into catching a hot grounder like it’s nothing. A big hit with the kids, his competitiveness is unrivaled. Doi often plays through minor injuries, but you wouldn’t know it from his face. He often surprises his manager, who will have had no idea he was banged up in the first place. How best to execute a double play with a runner on first... the cerebral Doi will consider it right in the middle of the action.
#35 Takada - Outfielder (Giants)
Takada’s Batting Record
#36 Takada - Outfielder (Giants)
Takada’s Batting Record By Opposing Team in ‘72
Just like its iron wall between third and short, the space between second and short is just as fortified for the Giants!! Expect even more double plays this year. On a grounder that looks sure to poke into center past second base, shortstop Kuroe is there, tossing it to Doi rushing toward second as if at the very moment it reaches his glove. In another instant, Doi touches the bag and the ball is already in Oh’s waiting mitt at first for the double play. Photo: Doi (jumping), Kuroe (below).
#39 Horiuchi - Pitcher, Mori - Catcher (Giants)
It goes without saying that pitcher Horiuchi and catcher Mori have been key figures throughout ‘V8’—they’ve been together as a battery for seven years now. More polished than ever, they’re ready to go for ‘V9.’ Horiuchi has gotten off to a bit of a slow start this year, but for the past seven seasons, even with a slow start he hasn’t once gotten fewer than 10 wins. Of course this season he’s hungry to be a true ace. He should definitely be able to raise his win total this summer. With Mori as a wingman on top of his game, he can be assured of that. Be sure to keep your eye on these two.
#40 Kuroe - Shortstop (Giants)
The long awaited fifth batter to protect ON is finally here. Suetsugu is not flashy, but the steady, persistent work he has put in over the last 8 years is bearing fruit. During spring training in Miyazaki, manager Kawakami returned with Suetsugu to their hometown and gave this ringing endorsement: ‘People of Hitoyoshi, Suetsugu’s growth has been impressive. He’ll be batting fifth for us this year.’ Added Suetsugu, ‘Personally, I’d say I started gaining confidence about 2 years ago, so I consider myself more like a third-year pro and that’s how I’ll go about things.’ Confident and modest. More and more he’s giving up the ‘Mr. Spring’ moniker.
#42 Yoshida - Catcher (Giants)
Yoshida's Batting Record
#43 Takahashi (Kazu) - Pitcher (Giants)
On days with no game, all players from ON on down can be found at the Tamagawa Ground practicing their positions. The pitchers may even throw around 400 pitches in a day, not stopping until they’re satisfied. Talk about stamina. It’s enough to make you think an arm might fall off. After that’s done, they run laps around the grounds to develop lower body strength. Then, it’s calisthenics with the coaches and a massage. Impressive, isn’t it?
#44 Takahashi (Kazu) - Pitcher (Giants)
Takahashi’s Pitching Record by Opposing Team in ‘72
#45 Horiuchi - Pitcher (Giants)
Horiuchi’s Pitching Record by Opposing Team in ‘72
#46 Suetsugu - Outfielder (Giants)
Suetsugu’s Batting Record
Great Talents Bloom Late! Suetsugu
Suetsugu started to show his real ability around the ‘71 season. Slowly but surely he’s been distinguishing himself, and the Giants brass have started to pin their hopes on him. Case in point: the goal this year is for him to stick as the number 5 hitter. It is early in the season, but as of June 7th he has even hit third and has notched 5 home runs. His hard work places him in the top 10 in batting at 4th overall with a .316 average. He is living up to expectations with his contributions to the clean-up effort.
#48 Horiuchi - Pitcher (Giants)
As you can see by this picture, before the pitch Horiuchi will read the catcher’s sign and determine if it matches the pitch he had in mind. If it differs, he will probe for something more suitable against the batter. Right when he’s in sync with the catcher, he’ll fire it off. When keeping a runner on first or second in check, not letting him become a distraction can be the difference between getting the batter out or not. Horiuchi in particular has a reputation for reigning in runners. Not even leading runners can take a lead off the bag against him.
Hitting to the opposite field—a pitch that paints the outside corner hit squarely with perfect timing before dropping into left field is an exquisite thing.
#50 Yoshida - Catcher (Giants)
A Strong Arm! Yoshida
A throw like an arrow to second. When it comes to preventing stolen bases, without support from the pitcher pick-offs can’t happen, but what’s even more important is the catcher’s arm and control. A split second is the difference between a runner getting away with it or being dead to rights. After the catch, everything from the range of the throwing motion to how the planting of the feet is timed must align precisely, otherwise picking off a base runner will prove difficult.
Tabuchi, the Tigers oft-praised home run hitter. Enatsu, who holds the world single-season strikeout record. Previously, the Japanese record was 353 K’s, while the world record belonged to Major Leaguer Sandy Koufax of the Dodgers with 383. Amazingly, in 1968 that mark was surpassed by a considerable margin when 401 went into the books. Meanwhile, catcher Tabuchi has overtaken the reigning home run king Sadaharu Oh this year. As of June 15th, he has a 6 home run lead over Oh’s 11 round-trippers as he races for the top.
#52 Yazawa - First Baseman (Chunichi)
The Driving Force of the Dragons, Yazawa
Yazawa went on to win Rookie of the Year after his debut season. He’s hustling this year too, and finds himself among the top 10 in hitting. Whether hitting to the left or pulling it to the right, his reputation as a sharp, flexible batter has been established since his college days where he was also a leading hitter. He’ll be putting that experience to good use in the fight for the batting crown. His team is in top form as well and vying for the number one spot. You can do it!! Yazawa!!
The Personification of Fight! Kimata
Though comparatively undersized, Kimata is giving it his all as a catcher. Once the game starts, the fight wells up within him. Take a look at Kimata in the batter’s box. His once easygoing expression tenses up as he stares down the pitcher. Maybe now you see how that small frame can hit all those big home runs.
#54 Ejiri - Outfielder (Taiyo)
Taiyo’s Top Hitter, Ejiri
Even among all the pitchers who have converted to hitting, Ejiri stands out. An ace in college, after entering the pros his talents as a hitter were recognized and he made the switch. No surprise then that his .325 average is tops as of June 7th this year. He’s certainly fulfilling his role as the team’s leadoff man. Expect more big things from here on out.
#55 Matsubara - First Baseman (Taiyo)
Taiyo’s Cleanup Hitter, Matsubara
He doesn’t stand out as the core of the team, but Matsubara possesses a fighting spirit that is second to none. A diligent player and team leader, his earnestness has earned him the complete confidence of the clubhouse. He posted a .271 average last year, while this season as of June 7th he is hitting .272. Not bad, but it leaves something to be desired for a player like Matsubara. We’d all like him to hit .300, so let’s root for him to do at least as well as the team’s two foreign players.
#56 Hiramatsu - Pitcher (Taiyo)
Hiramatsu entered amateur ball out of Okayama Higashi High and promptly won a title before coming to the pros, where it seems he wanted to sign with the Giants. The draft didn’t go as he wished, but now with Taiyo he is living the dream as a pitcher who goes toe-to-toe with Kyojin and emerges victorious. On gamedays against the Giants, he faces ON head-on with competitive spirit that is unmatched. The rapturous applause of the fans makes it all the more sweet. If he had joined the Giants, he wouldn’t have gotten a taste of quite such a feeling.
#57 Hiramatsu - Pitcher (Taiyo)
Last year was a dud for Hiramatsu at 13-15, but this year as of June 7th he is, at 8-3, already more than halfway to his previous season’s win total. He is #2 among the Central League’s top 15 pitchers in ERA with 2.25. Coming from the same class as Enatsu and Horiuchi, Hiramatsu shares with them a strong spirit of rivalry as the big three fireballers, and pushes himself to the limit daily so as not to be outshined by them. He’s striving to go from being the Prince of Taiyo to Prince of the Baseball World.
#58 Yamamoto (Kazu) - Outfielder (Hiroshima)
Hiroshima’s Veteran! Yamamoto (Kazu)
A left-handed outfielder, this year is Yamamoto’s 13th as a pro. During his cleanup days, he could bat .300 even as a home run hitter. These days, he’s a team leader giving guidance to the other players. Though he’d like for the young players to make quick progress, that doesn’t mean he has nothing left in the tank. Still working hard to lead the team, the lefty slugger is vital to Hiroshima winning a championship.
#59 Sotokoba - Pitcher (Hiroshima)
Sotokoba went 11-15 last season. This year as of June 7th he is 4-4 and #9 among the top 15 pitchers in ERA with 2.52. Though his lack of wins is a drawback, his heavy pitches get especially good results against the Giants. While many of Sotokoba’s losses can be attributed to a lack of run support, you won’t see him crying about it. Now in his 10th year, the team is behind him. “Sotokoba is our ace,” says Manager Betto.
#60 Kinugasa - First Baseman (Hiroshima)
Hiroshima’s Big Gun, Kinugasa
The word ‘daredevil’ describes Kinugasa perfectly. Precision and brawn combined for a .295 average last year, missing .300 by just .005. A home run hitter who gets the crowd going, this year he’s working hard to add ever more sharpness to his already splendid hitting and reach that .300 goal. Spurred on by the arrival of foreign player Hicks to the team, we hope he keeps cranking ‘em out of the park.
#61 Yamamoto (Ko) - Outfielder (Hiroshima)
Strong Throwing, Good Fielding, Good Hitting: Yamamoto (Ko)
Yamamoto was lauded, along with Hanshin’s Tabuchi, as a powerful hitting combo during their Hosei University days. With a .258 average last year, he is getting closer to .300 and is keen on being a step ahead of Tabuchi in becoming a three-hundred hitter. Yamamoto also has a cannon for an arm. He’ll catch an outfield fly and throw it back from center with such velocity that the ball won’t bounce even once on its way to the catcher’s mitt. It’s this long-toss ability and control that make him the number one outfielder in the Central League.
#62 Mimura - Shortstop (Hiroshima)
Up until three years ago, Mimura didn’t stand out as a player, but last season he hit .308 and has suddenly made his presence known. This season too (as of 6/7) he is getting on well in the .320 range, good enough for 2nd place among the top 30 in batting. Mimura stands 173cm tall and weighs 70kg. Though not blessed with physical strength, he trains much more than others, and that strength is steadily coming along. Since claiming a regular starting spot for his efforts, he has grown into a mainstay. Hiroshima is now feared as “Mimura’s Team.”
#63 Inaba - Pitcher (Chunichi)
Inaba is now Chunichi’s ace. Last year, his second in the pros, he made his mark at 20-11, and what’s more, was peerless against the Giants. He’s eager to once again become a man possessed come Giants game day, wearing the ace’s number 18 and hurling with an unreadable poker face. At 174cm and 67kg, his phyiscal strength is a point of concern, but he has been training regularly and has added muscle to his legs and core, providing more stability. Now he has his sights on back-to-back 20-win seasons.
#65 Inaba - Pitcher (Chunichi)
Last season, Inaba’s second in the pros, was a big success at 20-11 and saw him promoted to Chunichi’s ace. Particularly against the Giants does he turn in peerless performances. That ace’s number 18 isn’t just for show. Inaba hurls it with an unreadable poker face. At 174cm, 67kg his physical strength is a point of concern, but thanks to intense training his legs and core have stabilized, and his fastball is getting stronger too. Consecutive 20-win seasons, go for it!
#66 Yazawa - First Baseman (Chunichi)
A Challenger for the Batting Title, Yazawa
Glaring intensely at the opposing pitcher, his favorite bat raised and at the ready... It’s hard to find a hole in Yazawa’s batting form. He’ll show any pitch what he’s got. To right, to left, he’ll put it where he wants. While he has impressive achievements of which to be proud from his time as a leading hitter at Waseda University, he now finds himself in the thick of an intense battle with the Giants’ Oh for the batting crown. Yazawa, the unwavering third batter.
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