Hiroyoshi Takano

Hiroyoshi Takano (高野 裕良)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 150 lbs.

• School Meiji University
• High School Shimonoseki Shogyo High School

• Born February 24, 1924 in Yamaguchi Prefecture Japan
• Died January 2, 2013 in Tokyo Prefecture Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Hiroyoshi Takano pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball for 11 years.

Takano was signed by the Yomiuri Giants team in 1946, and he was 6-6 with a 2.59 ERA in his rookie year. He was moved to the bullpen in 1947, and his ERA was 3.30 in 19 appearances. Takano then jumped to the Kinsei Stars in 1948, and his ERA was 4.86 in 11 games. After having a 3.97 ERA in 10 games in 1949, he was sent to the Taiyo Whales in 1950. Takano broke out in 1950, having a 25-21 record with a 3.65 ERA and 177 strikeouts. He led the Central League in appearances (66), starts (37), hits allowed (367), hit-by-pitches (15) and earned runs allowed (156). His 367 hits allowed is still the CL record as of 2023. He also ranked 4th in wins (between Hideo Fujimoto and Takashi Eda), 2nd in complete games (29, 4 behind Fujimoto) and 3rd in strikeouts (between Juzo Sanada and Takehiko Bessho).

The Yamaguchi native was selected into the 1951 NPB All-Star Games, and he allowed a run in an inning in Game 3. He ended up 11-15 with a 4.59 ERA in 1951, and he led the league in homers allowed. He tied Tsuneo Kobayashi and Minoru Kasamatsu for 3rd in losses, and he was 10th in strikeouts (80, between Keiji Komada and Takao Fujimura). Takano then went 17-21 with a 3.22 ERA in 1952, and he led the league in homers allowed again. He was 6th in wins (tied with Takumi Otomo), 4th in complete games (23, tied with Masaichi Kaneda) and 8th in strikeouts (99, between Fujimura and Fujimoto). Takano also attended the 1952 NPB All-Star Games, and he allowed a run in a inning in Game 2. He was 12-9 with a 3.57 ERA in 1953, and he led the league in homers and hit-by-pitches. He slumped to 3-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 1954, and he only pitched 12 games combined in the next two seasons. Takano announced his retirement in 1957.

Overall, Takano was 78-92 with a 3.77 ERA, struck out 532 and pitched 1,535 1/3 innings in 11 years in NPB.

Sources

• Wiki Japan
• NPB.com Bio
• 1952 NPB All-Star Game