Shuhei Ichieda

Shuhei Ichieda (一枝 修平)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 6", Weight 136 lb.

• School Meiji University
• High School Uenomiya High School

• Born July 24, 1940 in Osaka, Osaka Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Shuhei Ichieda was an infielder for 11 years in Nippon Pro Baseball.

After college, Ichieda played for Kawai Musical Instruments in the industrial leagues. He debuted in NPB with the Chunichi Dragons in 1964, hitting .247/.295/.308 in a back-up role; he hit even less (.218/.263/.303) in 1965. Ichieda became a starter in 1966 and hit .265/.320/.376. He was named to the Best Nine as the top shortstop in the Central League; the other infielders were a trio of legends - Sadaharu Oh (1B), Morimichi Takagi (2B) and Shigeo Nagashima (3B). Shuhei slumped to .230/.271/.343 in 1967.

The Osaka native had a big year in 1968, his best in terms of raw offensive stats - .272/.326/.431, 13 HR. He made his only CL All-Star team. Ichieda hit .233/.292/.326 in 1969 and .242/.250/.349 in 1970. Fading into a reserve role, he hit .226/.285/.274 in 66 games in 1971. Ichieda was then traded to the Kintetsu Buffaloes. He batted .258/.299/.338 for the Buffaloes in 1972 and .248/.267/.359 as a sub in 1973. Let go by Kintetsu, he signed with the Hanshin Tigers. In his final season, 1974, the veteran batted only .187/.271/.220.

Overall, Ichieda played 1,033 games in NPB and hit .244/.293/.346. He scored 290 runs and drove in 255, while hitting 120 doubles, 22 triples and 52 home runs. He stole 30 bases in 72 tries. He later was a coach for the Tigers and Dragons and was a commentator for Mainichi Broadcasting.

Source: Japan Baseball Daily