Hiroo Kataoka

Hiroo Kataoka (片岡 宏雄)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 154 lb.

• School Rikkyo University
• High School Naniwa Shogyo High School

• Born June 15, 1936 in Suita, Osaka Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Catcher Hiroo Kataoka played for four seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Kataoka debuted in 1959 with the Chunichi Dragons, going 0 for 1 with a walk. He was 0 for 3 in 1960. He suffered from a panic disorder that caused his hands to be paralyzed under stress; as a result, Chunichi let him go. His college coach Kuninobu Sunaoshi was then managing the Kokutetsu Swallows and Sunaoshi convinced the club to sign Kataoka. He was 2 for 7 in 1961 and 0 for 1 in 1962 to end his career with a total of 13 plate appearances in 29 games (he presumably was a defensive sub primarily). He later worked for the Sankei Shimbun, was a spokesman for the Sankei Swallows and scouted for the Swallows.

Source: Japan Baseball Daily