Dick Kashiwaeda

Dick Kashiwaeda (柏枝 文治)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.
• High School Honolulu High School

• Born February 20, 1920 in Kauai, HI USA
• Died December 23, 2012

BR register page

Biographical Information

Dick Kashiwaeda was the youngest of seven sansei kids who grew up on a planatation on Kauai. Kashiwaeda became a third baseman and won acclaim as perhaps the top player to ever man that position in the amateur Hawaii Baseball League. In 1953, Dick joined the Yomiuri Giants after Wally Yonamine and Jyun Hirota encouraged his signing. Serving initially as a backup to Mitsuo Uno and as a pinch-hitter, Dick hit .341/.396/.555 in 89 games. He slipped to .243/.302/.383 the next year, then bounced back to .336/.419/.458 in 85 contests in 1955 and got to play against Whitey Ford in an exhibition game. He injured his arm during Spring Training in 1956 when he tried to force some throws in cold weather. He went just 2 for 22 that season then retired with a .301/.372/.459 line as a pro. After retirement, Kashiwaeda was an insurance agent for Equitable for 25 years in Hawaii. At age 79, he was still playing softball three days a week.

Sources: Remembering Japanese Baseball by Rob Fitts, Japanbaseballdaily.com by Gary Garland