Shinichiro Ihara

Shinichiro Ihara (井原 慎一朗)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 187 lbs.

• High School Marugame Josai High School

• Born January 2, 1952 in Shikokuchuo, Ehime, Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Shinichiro Ihara pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball for 15 years.

Ihara was selected by the Yakult Swallows in the fifth round of the 1969 NPB draft; he spent his first five seasons primarily in the NPB Farm Leagues, and only pitched 36 game with the big club. He entered the rotation in 1975, and he was 7-7 with a 3.39 ERA. Ihara then slumped to 2-9 with a 4.50 ERA in 1976, and he was turned into a reliever. He had a 3.80 ERA in 41 appearances in 1977. Ihara had his career year in 1978, having a 10-4 record with a 3.38 ERA in 58 games. He ranked 3rd in the Central League in appearances, 5 behind Hisao Niura. He was also selected into the 1978 NPB All-Star Game, but he allowed 3 runs in 3 1/3 innings in Game 1. In the 1978 Nippon Series, Ihara pitched 2/3 of a shutout inning in Game 1, then he surrendered a run in 2 2/3 innings in Game 2. He then pitched 3 1/3 with only a run allowed in Game 4, and he got the win over Hisashi Yamada as he pitched 3 innings in Game 6 while giving up a run. The Swallows beat the Hankyu Braves in 7 games, and Ihara got his only Nippon Series title.

The Ehime native had a 4.39 ERA in 35 games in 1979, then his ERA was 4.65 in 19 games in 1980. He became a starter in 1981, and he was 9-9 with a 4.58 ERA. Ihara also attended the 1981 NPB All-Star Game, and he pitched a shutout inning with a strikeout against Hideji Kato. He was moved to the bullpen again in 1982, and his ERA was 4.20 in 19 games. After having a 4.39 ERA in 13 games in 1983, Ihara injured his right shoulder and he decided to retire in 1984.

Overall, Ihara was 42-45 with a 4.02 ERA, struck out 536 and pitched 852 innings in 15 years in NPB.

Sources

• Wiki Japan
• NPB.com Bio
• 1981 NPB All-Star Game