So Taguchi

So Taguchi (田口 壮)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 170 lb.

• School Kwansei Gakuin University
• High School Nishinomiya Kita High School

• Debut June 10, 2002
• Final Game October 4, 2009
• Born July 2, 1969 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

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Biographical Information

So Taguchi was drafted by the Orix Blue Wave in the first round of the 1992 NPB draft. Taguchi quickly soared reaching Orix in 1992, batting .268 with 1 HR and 46 RBI in 47 games. Though, his playing time decreased to 31 games in 1993 and he batted only .266 (23-90) with 0 HR's and 5 RBI.

In 1994, Taguchi's career began to take full force, he bat .307 with 6 HR's and 43 RBI in 108 games. That next year in 1995, even though Taguchi struggled offense wise batting .246/.308/.358 with 9 HR's and 61 RBI he was named to his first All Star team and won his first Gold Glove. Taguchi went onto improve in 1996, batting .279/.321/.371 with 7 HR's and 44 RBI, and helped Orix win the Nippon Series and won his only Best Nine award. Taguchi blossomed in 1997, having his career year, batting .294/.351/.416 with 10 HR's and 56 RBI. He fell to .272/.338/.386 with 9 HR's and 41 RBI in 1998. His numbers continued to slump in 1999 to .269/.308/.365 with 9 HR's and 56 RBI. Taguchi had a rebound in 2000 with a .279/.353/.389 and 8 HR's and 49 RBI and was also named to the 2000 Japanese Olympic Team. In his final season he batted .280/.343/.406 with 8 HR's and 42 RBI.

Following the 2001 season, Taguchi announced he would go the majors after qualifying for free agency. On January 9, 2002, Taguchi signed a three year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. His customary #6 was retired by the Cardinals, as was his second choice #9, so he decided to wear #99. Taguchi spent most of the 2002 season playing with AA New Haven Ravens batting .308/.375/.430 with 1 HR and 15 RBI and batting .247/.286/.352 with 5 HR's and 32 RBI with the AAA Memphis Redbirds. Though, he earned a callup to the Cardinals, batting .400(6-15) with 0 HR and 2 RBI. Again in 2003, Taguchi spent most of the season with Memphis, batting .256/.318/.326 with 2 HR's and 24 RBI. This time, Taguchi earned more time with the Cardinals batting .259(14-54) with 3 HR's and 13 RBI. Taguchi would go on to stick as a useful fourth outfielder on the Cardinals team in 2004 that went to the World Series, batting .291 with 3 HR's and 25 RBI in 109 games. He also went 1-4(.250) with 0 HR's and a RBI in the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. The 2005 season saw Taguchi blossom as he saw record time, batting .288/.322/.412 with 8 HR's and 53 RBI in 143 games and 396 at bats. Taguchi carried on as a fourth outfielder in 2006 and 2007. Taguchi came up clutch in game 2 of the 2006 NLCS by hitting the go-ahead run in the form of a solo shot surrendered by New York Mets closer Billy Wagner, bringing the score to 7-6. The St. Louis Cardinals would go on to win the game 9-6 on their way to the 2006 World Series. So Taguchi would go on to win another ring with the 2008 Phillies. So's MLB career would come to a close as a September call-up with the 2009 Chicago Cubs, lining out in his final at-bat.

Following his time in MLB, So returned to Japan to play two seasons for the Orix Buffaloes.

Taguchi joined the coaching staff of the Orix Buffaloes in 2016 and was still on their coaching staff when they won the 2022 Japan Series.

Notable Achievements

• Won two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals (2006) and the Philadelphia Phillies (2008; he did not play in the World Series)

Related Sites

• Japan Baseball Daily
• Japanese Baseball
• CBS Sportline