Satoshi Iriki

Satoshi Iriki (入來 智)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 176 lb.
• High School Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School

• Born June 3, 1967 in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Japan
• Died February 10, 2023 in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Japan

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Biographical Information

The older brother of Yusaku Iriki, pitcher Satoshi Iriki was the sixth-round draft pick of the Kintetsu Buffaloes in 1989 NPB draft. He debuted with the team a year later, posting a 10.57 ERA and allowing 14 hits in 7 2/3 innings on a trial out of the farm. He did better work in 10 contests the next season, going 4-0 and having a 2.44 ERA, then was 4-3 with one save and a 6.75 ERA in a setback season.

Iriki got on an even keel in 1992 and went 5-5 with a 3.35 ERA and had more strikeouts (70) than hits allowed (68) for the first time. At age 25-26, he went 4-6 with one save and a 4.21 ERA as one of the main relievers in Kintetsu's bullpen. After he fell to 0-3, 5.33 in 1995, he split 1996 with the Hiroshima Carp but continued to struggle at 0-3, 5.29. Back with Kintetsu in 1997, he had a 2.70 ERA and was 1-0 but in just 13 1/3 innings.

In 1998 Satoshi was 4-3 with a 5.48 ERA. Switching to the Yomiuri Giants a year later to join his younger brother, Iriki was 2-1, 4.15 in 22 relief appearances. After not pitching for the Giants in 2000, Iriki was let go.

Signing with the Yakult Swallows in 2001, the 33/34-year old had a career year. He won his first 8 decisions, went 10-3 overall and had a 2.85 ERA. He made his only All-Star team, as did his younger brother. When Satoshi relieved Yusaku in the first All-Star game that year, it was the first time one brother had relieved another in Nippon Pro Baseball All-Star game history. He missed the ERA qualifiers by 11 innings; if he had been among the leaders he would have ranked second to Shigeki Noguchi.

Iriki hit the skids one year after his brilliant success, fading to 1-3, 6.66 in 2002 and finishing his NPB career to date at 35-30, 4.25.

In 2003 Iriki moved to the Korea Baseball Organization and went 7-11, 5 Sv, 3.74 for the Doosan Bears at age 35-36. He was 7th in the KBO in ERA, second among foreign pitchers. After that Satoshi moved to the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

Iriki stayed in Taiwan after retiring but ran out of money due to his alimony payments to his ex-wife. He remarried, this time to a childhood sweetheart, and got a job with his brother-in-law's bento delivery company. Iriki also began learning how to cook to further himself for this company. He died in 2023, the victim of a traffic accident at 55. He was involved in a frontal collision while driving his personal vehicle near his hometown. He was evacuated to a local hospital, but died shortly afterwards of massive head injuries.