There was a professional baseball record that “exceeded” Roki Sasaki’s 13 consecutive strikeouts !?
Chiba Lotte’s pitcher Roki Sasaki, who achieved a perfect game at the youngest age of 20 years and 5 months, also set a professional baseball record of 13 consecutive strikeouts. However, it is said that the history of professional baseball has a record of over “13”. Masayuki Tamaki, a sports cultural critic who appeared on RKB Radio “Ryusuke Tabata Grooooow Up”, will explain.
That big pitcher has the record of “15 consecutive strikeouts”
Ryusuke Tabata Announcer (Tabata): Today’s topic is pitcher Roki Sasaki.
Masayuki Tamaki (hereinafter referred to as Tamaki): That’s the only thing. I’m still excited.
Tabata: Did Tamaki get excited after all?
Tamaki: Yes. After hearing (record achievement), I hurriedly searched all over the video. Because I have to see it.
Tabata: You had high expectations for pitcher Roki Sasaki this year.
Tamaki: Two years ago, in the first year, even the second army did not throw at all. Last year it came out with a glance, and I think this can be done this year. It seems that Chiba Lotte also had a very stylish way of raising. However, is this “13 consecutive strikeouts” actually a new record in Japan?
Tabata: What do you mean?
Tamaki: There are people who have done 15 consecutive strikeouts. It was achieved by pitcher Yutaka Enatsu in the 1971 All-Star game. All-star games can only be thrown by up to nine batters. In the All-Star game of that year, pitcher Enatsu struck out nine people in a row in the first game, and struck out another in the third game, so he struck out 10 people in a row. Further investigation revealed that he was striking out five times in a row in the previous year’s All-Star Game. If you add them all up, it will be 15 consecutive times.
“The new record for Japan will be taken from Mr. Wang.” For that reason, pitcher Enatsu …
Tabata: Mr. Tamaki is currently performing remotely from his home, but the uniform of pitcher Enatsu is displayed in the room.
Tamaki: That’s right. This is the uniform that pitcher Enatsu wore during his retirement match. Pitcher Enatsu also holds a Japanese record of 1968 season 401 strikeouts.
Tabata: Is it 401! It’s amazing if it exceeds 200 now.
Tamaki: There used to be a lot of throwing innings. The Japanese record before pitcher Enatsu was 354 strikeouts in the season, which was pitcher Kazuhisa Inao of Nishitetsu Lions, who is related to Fukuoka. When breaking this record, pitcher Enatsu declared that he would “take a new record from Mr. Sadaharu Oh.” So, that was actually the case, but in fact, at the turn at bat just before that, I was setting a Japanese-Thailand record of 354 strikeouts against Mr. Wang and asked, “How can I get a new record from Mr. Wang?” So, pitcher Enatsu hits all eight batters after Mr. Wang (not strikeouts) and takes out.
Tabata: It’s amazing to control it freely.
Tamaki: That’s amazing. I let all eight batters hit and took it, so I set another 355th new record from Mr. Wang. In addition, it is said that Enatsu-san is hitting a goodbye hit in this game, which is an extra time with 0-0. I don’t know what to say, this. Roki Sasaki, I still have more work to do, so please do your best (laughs)
What is the record that only one person in the Japanese ball world has?
Tamaki: Pitcher Sasaki has also achieved a perfect game, but this is the 16th person. To put it the other way around, there were 15 people in the past. Do you know what is the biggest record in Japan and only one person has done it?
Tabata: What is it? Are you doing only one person?
Tamaki: It’s hard to imagine this, but the correct answer is “one person triple play.” This is Hankyu Braves, now Orix, but Sakamoto, the second baseman, is doing it. At this time, runners 1st and 2nd base. The liner flew there second. He caught the ball and got one out. Then he stepped on the 2nd base and got 2 outs. In addition, he chased the runner who was returning to the first base and touched it to make 3 outs. it’s funny, is not it. Only one person is playing this in Japanese professional baseball, but for some reason it seems that more than 10 people are playing in the United States. I wondered if American runners often jump out.
Japanese professional baseball that did not value individual play
Tamaki: After all, the real thrill of baseball is that this kind of record is interesting, but it wasn’t until 1989 in the Pacific League that the “Sanshinou” was commended, and in 1991 in the Central League. It’s from the year.
Tabata: Did you get a lot of attention before?
Tamaki: It was getting a lot of attention, but it wasn’t commended. At that time, as a sports writer, I wrote a lot about “Please commend the strikeout king,” but what do you think you said?
Tabata: Did you say that strikeouts aren’t so brilliant?
Tamaki: No, on the contrary, there is too much flower. In short, “It’s no good because I run for individual play.” But when you think about it, even if you strike out, it’s one out. You’re getting closer to winning the team. In baseball, individual play contributes to the team. That area is a team play that is different from soccer and rugby. However, Japanese baseball has a history of emphasizing only team play. That’s why I have to admit that one person is active. Pitcher Enatsu was also a player who was often told that he would do what he wanted, and he wasn’t recognized. I loved that kind of player, though.
Tabata: Another uniform was displayed in Mr. Tamaki’s room, which belonged to pitcher Hideo Nomo, but after all, the appearance of pitcher Hideo Nomo struck out steadily was also brilliant.
Tamaki: It’s not the place where there is a flower. If you do that with the tornado throwing method, you’ll be numb. I watched a match thrown by Mr. Nomo in Los Angeles, USA, but he was a trio up to three times. So when I said to Minoru Sase, a big senior sports writer I was watching in front of me, “I’m going to a perfect game, I’m going to a perfect game,” Sase said, “Idiot, I’ve been thinking about it from the second time. What are you talking about? ” When I was having such a conversation, the TV station next to me said, “I think we can (perfect game).” This is the worst attitude to watch baseball. I don’t want to take such a strange view, but I want to get excited and watch it.
Tabata: In that sense, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of play Roki Sasaki will play, including records.
Tamaki: It feels like I’m getting scared. One more thing to add is Softbank Kai. You hit a great triple play.
Tabata: Do you touch that? (Smile)
Tamaki: Triple play. I love that. If you don’t hit the ball early, you won’t get a triple play. If you’re slow, you’ll reach 1st base out of 2 outs. So I think this is also a great record.
