Isao Harimoto, A-Bomb Survivor and Japan Baseball Great Known as 'Hit Machine,' Dies at 86
- On Wednesday, Isao Harimoto, Japanese baseball's all-time hit king, died at a Tokyo hospital, according to a report by TBS. Harimoto remains the only player in NPB history to reach 3,000 hits.
- Known as the "Hit Machine," Harimoto finished with 3,085 hits—184 more than Katsuya Nomura. He maintained a.319 career average while accumulating 1,676 RBIs and 504 home runs over 23 seasons.
- Born in Hiroshima, the Korean-Japanese player survived the World War atomic bombing. Despite suffering childhood burn injuries, Harimoto became one of Japan's greatest hitters and later helped launch South Korea's pro baseball league.
- Harimoto earned 16 Best Nine selections, seven batting titles, and the Pacific League Rookie award in 1959. Inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall in 1990, he also achieved the rare feat of 500 home runs and 319 stolen bases.
- While Harimoto holds the NPB hit record with 3,085, Ichiro Suzuki amassed 4,367 combined hits across NPB and MLB. In retirement, Harimoto became a commentator known for his outspoken, old-school viewpoints on the game.
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43 Articles
Harimoto was five years old when he survived the U.S. atomic bomb launch on Hiroshima in 1945. His sister died of her injuries.
Isao Harimoto survived the tragedy of Hiroshima and wrote baseball history. Now the record player died at the age of 86.
saarbruecker-zeitung.de
volksfreund.deIsao Harimoto survived the tragedy of Hiroshima and wrote baseball history. Now the record player died at the age of 86.
Korean-Japanese player recorded all-time high in Nippon Professional Baseball at 3,085 hits and remains league's only player to reach 3,000
The Toronto Star
Northwest Asian WeeklyIsao Harimoto, A-bomb survivor and Japan baseball great known as ‘Hit Machine,’ dies at 86
TOKYO (AP) — Isao Harimoto, the baseball great who survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb and still holds Japan's hits record, has died. He was 86.
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Isao Harimoto, A-bomb survivor and Japan baseball great known as 'Hit Machine,' dies at 86
Isao Harimoto, the baseball great who survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb and still holds Japan’s hits record, has died. He was 86. The Golden Players Club, an organization for elite baseball players, says Harimoto died on Wednesday without specifying the…
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