Junzo Sekine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Junzo Sekine関根 潤三 |
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Sekine in 1959
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| Pitcher / Outfielder / Manager | |||
| Born: March 15, 1927 Tokyo, Japan |
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| Died: April 9, 2020 (aged 93) Tokyo, Japan |
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| debut | |||
| March 15, 1950, for the Kintetsu Pearls | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| November 55, 1965, for the Yomiuri Giants | |||
| NPB statistics (through 1965) |
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| Win–loss record | 65-94 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.43 | ||
| Strikeouts | 645 | ||
| Batting average | .279 | ||
| Home runs | 59 | ||
| Runs batted in | 424 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2003 | ||
Junzo Sekine (関根 潤三, Sekine Junzō, March 15, 1927 – April 9, 2020) was a famous Japanese baseball player. He was special because he played in two different ways. He was a pitcher, throwing the ball to batters. He was also an outfielder, catching balls hit by the other team. Most of his career was with the Kintetsu Pearls/Kintetsu Buffalo/Kintetsu Buffaloes team.
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Junzo Sekine: A Baseball Legend
Junzo Sekine was a true star in Japanese baseball. He was known for being a "two-way player." This means he was amazing at both pitching and hitting. He played for many years, showing off his skills in different roles.
Starting as a Two-Way Player
Junzo Sekine began his professional baseball journey in 1950. He was a rookie, which means a first-year player. What made him stand out was his ability to both pitch and hit. He would often bat in important spots in the lineup, like 3rd, 4th, or 5th. He did this even when he was pitching in the same game!
From 1950 to 1957, Sekine mostly focused on being a pitcher. His best year as a pitcher was in 1954. That year, he won 16 games and only lost 12. His earned run average (ERA) was 2.44, which is very good. He also struck out 118 batters, meaning he got them out by throwing three strikes.
Becoming a Strong Hitter
After 1957, Junzo Sekine changed his main role. He spent the rest of his playing career, from 1958 to 1965, as a position player. This means he focused on hitting and playing in the outfield. He became a very strong hitter.
His best years as a hitter were in 1962 and 1963. In 1962, his batting average was .301. This means he got a hit in more than 30% of his turns at bat. In 1963, his average was .296. Over these two years, he hit a total of 21 home runs. He also brought in 115 runs batted in (RBI), helping his team score.
Life After Playing
After his playing career, Junzo Sekine continued to be involved in baseball. He became a coach for teams like the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and the Yomiuri Giants. Later, he became a manager, leading teams like the Yokohama Taiyo Whales and the Yakult Swallows.
Hall of Fame and Legacy
Junzo Sekine's amazing career was recognized in 2003. He was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor for baseball players in Japan. It means he is remembered as one of the best players ever.
Sekine passed away on April 9, 2020, in Tokyo, Japan. He was 93 years old. He left behind a great legacy as a versatile and talented baseball player, coach, and manager.
