Takahide Itoh

Takahide Itoh (伊藤 隆偉) also listed as Takehide Ito

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 171 lb.

• High School Hongo High School

• Born October 21, 1963 in Kita Shitara-gun, Aichi Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Takahide Itoh pitched for over a decade in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Undrafted out of high school, Itoh signed with Tokai Rikia in the industrial leagues. He was picked in the 4th round of the 1987 NPB draft by the Hankyu Braves. Debuting in 1989, he went 3-4 with two saves and a 4.46 ERA in 34 games. He was 1-3 with six saves and a 4.72 ERA in 48 outings in 1990 and 1-0 with two saves and a 4.90 ERA in 1991. Itoh improved to 2-4 with six saves and a 2.98 ERA in 1992, then was a fine closer in 1993 (1-3, 16 Sv, 2.31, .219 opponent average).

In 1994, Itoh was 3-2 with four saves and a 3.40 ERA, followed by 6-2, 2.96 in 1995 while being used primarily as a starter for the first time. He struck out 8 in 7 1/3 innings in the 1995 Japan Series and allowed three runs; his club (now named the Orix Blue Wave) fell in five games to the Yakult Swallows.

The right-handed veteran was 0-2 with a 4.42 ERA in just three starts in 1996. Despite his scant use in the regular season, he again saw postseason action. In the 1996 Japan Series, he starred, appearing three times in relief and allowing three hits and no runs in six innings. In game five, he got the win against the Yomiuri Giants which clinched the Blue Wave's first and only Japan Series title.

Itoh was a mainstay in the Orix rotation in 1997 and went 10-7 with a 3.46 ERA. He missed the Pacific League's top 10 in ERA by .11. In 1998, the 34-year-old faded to 3-6, 4.71. He split 1999 between Orix and the Giants, allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings and calling it a career.

Itoh was 30-33 with 36 saves and a 3.84 ERA in 268 games in NPB.

Source: Japanbaseballdaily.com by Gary Garland