Hiroyoshi Shimizu

Hiroyoshi Shimizu (清水 透)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.
• School Kosei Gakuen High School

• Born July 4, 1950 in Toyama, Toyama Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Infielder Hiroyoshi Shimizu, also known as Toru Shimizu, played in Nippon Pro Baseball from 1973 to 1983. He played 10 seasons during that span, not appearing in any games in 1975. His first nine seasons were with the Taiyo Whales of the Central League, and the final one with the Seibu Lions of the Pacific League.

He was never a regular, as his highest total of games was 70 in 1981 and he never had as many as 100 at-bats in any season (he peaked at 77 in 1976). He batted .206 in 398 games, with 7 homers and 32 RBIs. He played all four infield positions and in the outfield as well.

The most famous incident of his career occurred on April 29, 1977 against the Hanshin Tigers at Kawasaki Stadium. He hit a ball deep to the outfield which was chased by Hanshin outfielder Noriyoshi Sano, who caught the ball but crashed into the wall and fractured his skull. Sano was rushed to the hospital and there was fear for his life, but he made a full recovery and returned to action three months later. One good thing came out of the near tragedy, as NPB decreed that all outfield walls should now be padded.