Yoshio Takahashi

Yoshio Takahashi (高橋 吉雄)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 7", Weight 156 lb.
• School Washington University
• High School Mid-Pacific High School

• Born February 19, 1908 in Oahu, HI USA
• Died November 27, 1976

BR register page

Biographical Information

Hawaiian native Yoshio Takahashi, a Nisei, was possibly the first foreign player in Nippon Pro Baseball history as he started the First Japan Professional Baseball League game. He had a fine year, hitting .310/.452/.586 for Nagoya, then slipped to .217/.321/.283 in the fall 1936 season. In the spring of 1937, playing for the Eagles, Yoshio bounced back at .241/.361/.350 (with 43 errors) and he improved further with a .305/.463/.509 fall campaign. In the fall season, he led the Japan Professional Baseball League in runs (43) and homers (6) and was sixth in the league in average - he was possibly second in slugging behind Masaru Kageura. After not playing in 1938-1939, Takahashi hit .278/.297/.333 in 1940 and then only managed a .152/.164/.205 line the next year. His last season was 1943, when he batted just .197/.299/.253. Overall, his career statistics were .234/.344/.346. After retirement, he coached Isuzu Motors in Japan's industrial leagues.

Source: Japanbaseballdaily.com by Gary Garland