Yukio Tanaka (tanakyu01)

For the longtime Nippon Ham Fighters infielder named Yukio Tanaka, please click here.

Yukio Tanaka (田中 幸雄)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 198 lb.

• High School Nagareyama High School

• Born February 27, 1959 in Nagareyama, Chiba Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Yukio Tanaka pitched 8 years for the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Tanaka was a shortstop and pitcher for Den Den Kanto in the industrial leagues and played for Japan in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup before the Fighters took him in the 1st round of the 1981 NPB draft. He debuted with the club in 1982, going 5-4 with a 3.72 ERA. The next season, Yukio was 6-3 with a 2.22 ERA. In 1984, Tanaka's record fell to 2-9, 6.68. He bounced back somewhat in 1985, posting a 6-6 record and 4.42 ERA in 47 games. He walked 76 in 138 1/3 IP. On June 9, he no-hit the Kintetsu Buffaloes in a 12-0 victory.

Tanaka went 3-8 with 13 saves and a 3.29 ERA in 1986. The next year, his record was 2-3, 3 Sv, 4.50 in 28 outings. At age 28, Tanaka only pitched 13 games, going 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA. He concluded his career in NPB in 1989 with a 0-2, 5.48 record in 25 appearances, walking 26 in 42 2/3 IP.

Overall, Tanaka was 25-36 with 16 saves and a 4.23 ERA in 214 games for Nippon Ham. He walked 265 in 546 1/3 IP.

Released by the Fighters, he was signed by the Chunichi Dragons but never made it out of ni-gun and retired after 1991, becoming a coach with the Fighters.

Source: Japanbaseballdaily.com by Gary Garland