Akinori Iwamura facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Akinori Iwamura
Iwamura with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2013
Infielder
Born: (1979-02-09) February 9, 1979 (age 46) Uwajima, Ehime, Japan
Batted: Left Threw: Right
Professional debut
NPB: May 19, 1998, for the Yakult Swallows
MLB: April 2, 2007, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Last appearance
MLB: September 26, 2010, for the Oakland Athletics
NPB: 2014, for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows
NPB statistics
Batting average	.290
Home runs	193
Runs batted in	615
MLB statistics
Batting average	.267
Home runs	16
Runs batted in	117
Teams
Yakult Swallows / Tokyo Yakult Swallows (1998–2006) Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays (2007–2009) Pittsburgh Pirates (2010) Oakland Athletics (2010) Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2011–2012) Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2013–2014)
Career highlights and awards
3× NPB All-Star (2001, 2004, 2005) 6× Mitsui Golden Glove Award (2000–2002, 2004–2006)
Medals Representing  Japan Men's Baseball World Baseball Classic Gold 2006 San Diego Team Competition Gold 2009 Los Angeles Team Competition Intercontinental Cup Bronze 1999 Sydney Team Competition

Iwamura played for Japan in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Iwamura on Opening Day 2008

Akinori Iwamura (born February 9, 1979) is a former Japanese baseball player. He was an infielder, meaning he played positions like third base or second base. He is currently a manager for the Fukushima Red Hopes team in Japan.

Iwamura started his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2007. In MLB, he was often called Aki. In Japan, his nickname was Gan-chan.

Early Life and Family

Akinori Iwamura was born in Uwajima, Ehime, Japan, on February 9, 1979. He went to Uwajima Higashi High School. He even played for the Japan National high school baseball team in the Philippines.

His older brother, Takashi Iwamura, also played professional baseball. Both brothers were chosen by teams in the 1997 draft. Akinori and his wife, Misaki, had their first son, Taiki, in 2007.

Baseball Career Highlights

Playing for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows

Iwamura played as a third baseman for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan's Central League. He played there from 1998 to 2006.

He was a great fielder, winning six Golden Glove awards at third base. He also hit many home runs. In his last three seasons in Japan, he hit 106 home runs. His best year was 2004, when he hit 44 home runs and had 103 RBI. He also had a .300 batting average that year.

Joining Major League Baseball

After playing well in Japan, Iwamura wanted to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. Teams could bid for the right to sign him. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the bidding in 2006.

On December 15, 2006, Iwamura signed a three-year contract with the Rays. This was a big step for him to play in America.

First Season in MLB (2007)

Iwamura started his MLB career as the starting third baseman for the Devil Rays. He played his natural position. He started the 2007 season very well, hitting .339 in April.

He had a small injury that kept him out for a short time. He finished his first season with a .285 batting average, 7 home runs, and 34 RBI. He often batted first in the lineup for the Devil Rays. His baseball glove was made of crocodile skin, which was very unusual!

Moving to Second Base (2008)

For the 2008 season, Iwamura moved to second base. This was because another talented player, Evan Longoria, was ready to play third base for the Rays. Iwamura quickly became a great second baseman.

He and shortstop Jason Bartlett formed a strong team for turning double plays. This helped the Rays have their best season ever. They even made it to the American League Championship Series. Iwamura made the final out in Game 7, sending the Rays to their first World Series. In 2023, a statue of Iwamura making that play was put up outside the Rays' stadium.

On-Field Incidents

During a spring training game in 2008, there was a collision at second base involving Iwamura. Later that season, during a game against the Boston Red Sox, another player slid hard into Iwamura at second base. This led to a heated moment in the next game, and Iwamura was suspended for three games for his part in the incident.

The "Rayhawk" Hairstyle

In the middle of the 2008 season, Iwamura got a mohawk haircut. This hairstyle became popular with many of his teammates and even the team's manager, Joe Maddon. Fans also started sporting the "Rayhawk" as the team became American League Champions.

Injury and Return (2009)

In 2009, Iwamura was injured while trying to turn a double play. He tore a ligament in his knee and ankle. Doctors thought he might miss the rest of the season.

However, after surgery, it was found that the tear was not as bad as first thought. He worked hard to recover and returned to play for the Rays on August 29, 2009. He even hit his first home run of the season shortly after returning.

Playing for Other MLB Teams

After the 2009 season, Iwamura was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played for them in 2010 but struggled. He then signed with the Oakland Athletics later in 2010, playing 10 games before his time in MLB ended.

Return to Japan

Iwamura went back to Japan to play baseball. He signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2010. He faced some injuries and tough times during his two years with the Eagles.

In 2012, he signed again with his old team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He played for them until 2014. In 2016, he joined the Fukushima Hopes in Japan's Route Inn BC League.

International Play

Akinori Iwamura proudly represented Japan in several international competitions. He played in the 1999 Intercontinental Cup and was part of the gold medal-winning teams in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Awards and Achievements

Iwamura earned many awards during his career:

• Six-time Golden Glove winner (2000–2002, 2004–2006)
• Three-time NPB All-Star (2001, 2004, 2005)
• Two-time Best Nine (2002, 2006)
• Monthly MVP (August 2004)
• Japan Series Valuable Player (2001)

See also

In Spanish: Akinori Iwamura para niños