Takeshi Aiko

Takeshi Aiko (愛甲 猛)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 170 lb.
• High School Yokohama High School
• Born August 15, 1962 in Zushi, Kanagawa Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Takeshi Aiko spent 20 years in Nippon Professional Baseball, playing for the Lotte Orions (1981-1991), Chiba Lotte Marines (1992-1995) and Chunichi Dragons (1996-2000).

He began his career as a pitcher at 18 years old when he was drafted by the Orions in the first round of 1980 NPB draft and remained in that role until 1983. He was 0-1 with a 6.70 ERA in 61 games (two starts). In 1984, he appeared briefly in NPB as a first baseman and the next year, he hit .305/.333/.508 in 40 games (59 at-bats) as an outfielder. He became a starting outfielder in 1988 and hit .286/.338/.450 with 17 home runs and 63 RBI that year, leading the Pacific League in doubles (30); in 1989, he hit .303/.361/.449 with 13 home runs and 65 RBI in 130 games. He led the league with 34 doubles and won a Gold Glove. He was also an All-Star that year. In 1990, he had career highs in multiple categories, including runs (75), home runs (21), RBI (72), stolen bases (15) and strikeouts (112). He had eight home runs in each of the next three seasons and saw his power numbers decline from there as he slipped further into a utility/backup role. 1992 was his last season with 400 or more at-bats and from 1996 to 2000, he had less than 100 at-bats per season.

Overall, he batted .269/.330/.410 with 103 home runs and 513 RBI in 1,532 games.