Yoshikazu Hamanaka

Yoshikazu Hamanaka (浜中 祥和)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 4", Weight 132 lb.

• School Rikkyo University
• High School Wakasa High School

• Born January 14, 1938 in Fukui Prefecture Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Yoshikazu Hamanaka has played in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Hamanaka was on the Japanese national team in the 1959 Asian Championship as the country won its second title. The Taiyo Whales signed him in 1960. Due to a severe head injury, Hamanaka was unable to bat well in his entire professional career. He often was used as pinch-runner or backup shortstop, so he only got 296 at-bats in 5 years with the Whales. He transferred to the Chunichi Dragons in 1965, but his performance didn't improve after changing teams. He only played 193 games with the Dragons, his batting average never going above .160, and he announced his retirement after the 1967 season. He was a coach for the Dragons in 1968.

Overall, Hamanaka had hit .170/.221/.215 in 8 seasons in NPB.