Akio Masuda

Akio Masuda (益田 昭雄)

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 9", Weight 156 lb.

• High School Kuga High School

• Born January 15, 1938 in Yamaguchi Prefecture Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Akio Masuda joined the Yomiuri Giants in 1962. After three seasons of limited usage, he became a regular reliever in 1965 and went 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA in 33 appearances, allowing 52 hits in 76 innings. A year later he was again 4-1, now with a 2.79 ERA, and pitched 30 times. After only four games in 1967 with Yomiuri, he went to the Nishitetsu Lions in 1968. Converted into a swingman, he struggled, losing 29 times with just 15 wins in 1968-1969. He was 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 1970 when he was banned from baseball due to his involvement in the Black Mist Scandal.

Main source: www.japanbaseballdaily.com