'74 Calbee Archive

This page serves as the master archive of all the 1974 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. 

#1  Sadaharu Oh - First Baseman・Captain (Giants)

 

1

He’s dashing toward two consecutive triple crowns, a record the world has never seen! This year too, Wan-chan’s feats will be a sight to see.

[Baseball Museum]   There are players who have won 2 triple crowns in the American Major Leagues, but none who have done it two years consecutively.

 

#2  Sadaharu Oh - First Baseman・Captain (Giants)

 2

 

This season, Oh has a lot of challengers aiming to be the home run king. Yamashita and Tabuchi cannot be overlooked.

[Baseball Museum]  During his high school days, Oh was Waseda Jitsugyo’s ace. He threw an 11 inning no-hit, no-run game against Neyagawa High at the 1957 Summer Koshien Tournament.

 

#3  Sadaharu Oh - First Baseman・Captain (Giants)

 3

 

The single season home run record is Oh's own 55 (1964). He’s made it well known that he’s looking to break it with at least 60.

[Baseball Museum]   Hank Aaron of the Major Leagues hit home run #714 on Opening Day, tying Ruth’s record.

 

#4  Sadaharu Oh - First Baseman (Giants)

 4

Oh was a pitcher at his alma mater Waseda Jitsugyo High, where he helped his team win Spring Koshien in 1957. In ‘59 he joined the Giants as a pitcher.

[Baseball Museum]  Sakushin Gakuin High won the spring and summer National High School Baseball Tournaments back-to-back in 1962. In ‘65, Chukyo-Sho High became just the second to do so.

 

#5  Sadaharu Oh - First Baseman・Captain (Giants)

 5

 

Oh won the coveted Triple Crown. Now he’s got big plans: 800 homers and another one back-to-back.

[Baseball Museum]   Oh’s home run total is 585. Naturally, that’s the Japanese record.

 

#6  Shigeo Nagashima - Third Baseman・Hitting Coach (Giants)

 6

 

The word “limits” isn’t in Mr. G’s dictionary. It’s all down to this year, and Cho-san is ready to go after it.

[Baseball Museum]   Most National High School Baseball Tournament Championships by Prefecture: Summer Tournament Best 3 - ① Aichi (7x), ② Hiroshima (6x), ③ Ehime (5x)

 

#8  Shigeo Nagashima - Third Baseman・Hitting Coach (Giants)

 7

 

Speculation is growing that Nagashima will be the next manager of the Giants, but he is on the active roster for another year yet, and it’s best that he continues to focus on his play.

[Baseball Museum]   The oldest active player is Manager Nomura of the Hawks at 39 years-old; Nagashima (Giants), Hirose (Nankai), and Miyagawa (Hiroshima) follow at 38. (Japanese players only)

 

#10  Tsuneo Horiuchi - Pitcher (Giants)

 10

 

Horiuchi and Kazumi Takahashi are the only two pitchers to have never pitched for the farm team after joining the Giants.

[Baseball Museum]  The Giants’ ace number is 18. It was passed down to Horiuchi from pitcher Fujita (who is now a coach).

 

#11  Kazumi Takahashi - Pitcher (Giants)

 11

  

Takahashi’s goal is 20 consecutive wins. A Giants mainstay along with Horiuchi, his exploits as a lefty ace will be must-see.

[Baseball Museum]  16 players have achieved a no-hit, no-run game at the Summer High School Baseball Tournament.

 

#12  Kazumi Takahashi - Pitcher (Giants)

 12

 

Takahashi is the steadiest pitcher in the Giants’ rotation. His results last year calmed any worries about a lack of stamina.

[Baseball Museum]  The single season record for wins by a pitcher belongs to Inao of the Nishitetsu Lions. Now the Lions manager, he won 42 games in 1961.

 

#13  Shigeru Takada - Outfielder (Giants)

 13

 

Fleet of foot and with sound defense, Takada is the point man of the Giants’ advance and a prime target of the opposing team.

[Baseball Museum]  Takada is the only Giants outfielder to have won Rookie of the Year (1968).

 

#15  Isao Shibata - Outfielder (Giants)

 15

  

Shibata has declared that he will take back his stolen base title. It’s the return of the red-gloved gentleman thief!

[Baseball Museum]  Fukumoto (Hankyu) has the most stolen bases in a single season with 106—a world record.

 

#17  Toshimitsu Suetsugu - Outfielder (Giants)

 17

 

Suetsugu is the big hitter protecting ON in the Giants’ starting lineup. This season, for a complete change of pace, he’s been settling into the three hole and showing off his power.

[Baseball Museum]  There are 25 players on the bench for each club’s A-Team.

 

#19  Shozo Doi - Third Baseman (Giants)

 19

 

A vital team player, Doi has been called a computer for his masterful defense.

[Baseball Museum]  Record for most home runs at the Summer National High School Baseball Tournament==① 19 (10th Tournament, 1924), ② 13 (50th Tournament, 1968), ③ 12 (45th Tournament, 1963)

 

#20  Yukinobu Kuroe - Shortstop (Giants)

 20

  

Although pleased with youngster Kono’s development, veteran Kuroe, with his clutch hitting, is still going strong.

[Baseball Museum]  Called “Ushiwakamaru,” former Hanshin shortstop Yoshio Yoshida was just 165cm tall. He played for 17 years.

 

#21  Kurata - Pitcher (Giants)

 21

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.

 

#22  Kurata - Pitcher (Giants)

 22

 

He’s prioritizing throwing his forkball and is getting the hang of winning. It will be a defining year for Kurata.

[Baseball Museum]  A forkball is thrown by gripping the ball between the middle and index fingers. It is thrown with the same movement as a fastball, but it breaks below the batter’s hands.

 

#25  Yanagida - Outfielder (Giants)

 25

 

Yanagida is the youngest left-handed batter and can hit impressive home runs. It remains to be seen if he can break into the lineup regularly.

[Baseball Museum]  Yanagida wears #38, which was assigned to him by current Second Team manager, Kunimatsu.

 

#27  Tabuchi - Catcher (Hanshin)

 27

This should be a decisive year for a potential “Post-Oh” Era. Only Tabuchi can compete with Oh for the home run crown. It may hinge on him hitting .300.

[Baseball Museum]  Everyday catchers are also called the “cornerstone.”

 

#29  Tabuchi - Catcher (Hanshin)

 29

 

 Everyone agrees that Tabuchi’s power rivals Oh’s. He may soon compare to Manager Nomura in home runs.

[Baseball Museum]  A protector is a piece of equipment catchers and umpires wear to prevent injury.

 

#30  Enatsu - Pitcher (Hanshin)

 30

 

His fastball has returned. And so, on to year three of 20 or more wins. Enatsu is unquestionably the league’s ace.

[Baseball Museum]  Records for most home runs hit by an individual at the National High School Baseball Tournament:  Fujisawa (Kurashiki Technical [31st Tournament, 1949] ), Inada (Heian [13th Tournament, 1927] where he hit 1HR, and [16th Tournament, 1930] where he hit 2HR).  

 

#31  Enatsu - Pitcher (Hanshin)

 31

“I know I can win every game against the Giants,” Enatsu has said. Spoken like a true champ.

[Baseball Museum]  Sandy Koufax has the Major League single-season strikeout record with 382.

 

#32  Ueda - Pitcher (Hanshin)

 32

Ueda says, modestly, that his goal is 15 wins, but given that he’s headlining the rotation with Enatsu this year as well, he has what it takes to get 20 for the second year in a row.

[Baseball Museum]   A relief pitcher is a pitcher who takes over for a starting pitcher. They are also called “relievers” for short. (Picture: Left・Ueda,  Right・Enatsu)

 

#33  Fujita - Shortstop (Hanshin)

 33

  

Fujita is entrenched as the third hitter. “This year for sure” he is looking to overcome the the hurdle of hitting .300. His stellar defense is not in question.

[Baseball Museum]  Summer High School Baseball Tournament Grand Slam Record: From Tanaka (Shizuoka Central) at the 10th tournament (1924) to Yamakawa (Toyodai Himeji) at the 54th (1972), 10 have been hit.

 

#34  Ikeda - Outtfielder (Hanshin)

 34

Batting 6th, Ikeda is the key hitter at the bottom of the order. The brass will often call on him to bat 3rd as well.

[Baseball Museum]  “Placing hits” refers to a batting approach that aims to hit balls through weak points or holes in the defense.

 

#35  Hoshino - Pitcher (Chunichi)

 35

Going strong as the ace, Hoshino is aiming for 20 wins as a starter this year.

[Baseball Museum]  Summer High School Baseball Tournament Walk-Off Home Run Record: Shiba (Choshi Commerical) hit 1 against Hosei First High at the 43rd Tournament (1961).

 

#36  Yazawa - First Baseman (Chunichi)

 36

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)

 37

 

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)

 38

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)

 39

 

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).