'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.

 

#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  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).