Atsuya Furuta

1.1. Childhood and Youth

Born in Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture, Atsuya Furuta began his baseball journey at the age of eight (third grade) when he joined the local youth baseball team, the Kamo Braves. He was assigned the role of catcher primarily because there were no other catchers on his D-team and because he was "fat" at the time. As a child, he admired fellow catcher Masataka Nashida and was a member of the Hankyu Braves fan club.

During his time at Kawanishi Junior High School, Furuta faced severe bullying from older students, including physical violence, forced consumption of large amounts of soda, and excessive punitive running. This intense bullying led him to quit baseball temporarily. After his parents intervened, he transferred to Takarazuka Minamihibarigaoka Junior High School for the second semester of his first year. Despite receiving offers from private high schools, Furuta chose to attend his local public school, Hyogo Prefectural Kawanishi Meihou High School, where he remained largely unknown throughout his three years.

1.2. University and Social Baseball

In 1984, Furuta entered Ritsumeikan University, enrolling in the Department of Business Administration, and joined its baseball club. He initially intended to attend Kansai University, which was a stronger team in the Kansai Big Six Baseball League, but was persuaded to join Ritsumeikan by coach Tadaichi Nakao, who was delighted by his presence. Furuta later admitted he was also swayed by the charm of Kyoto's Gion nightlife.

During his university career, his eyesight deteriorated from 0.5 to 0.1 due to extensive exam studies, leading him to start wearing glasses. He humorously noted that he had to wear them to avoid missing senior greetings, as he couldn't simply say "I didn't see you." This decision to wear glasses, however, would later become a significant talking point in his professional career.

As a university player, Furuta's talent quickly shone. In his third year (1986), he formed a battery with ace Toshihito Iwamoto, leading the team to consecutive championships in both the spring and autumn leagues. In 1987, his senior year, he served as team captain and was selected for the Japan-US College Baseball Championship. Despite being highly scouted and having a press conference setup ready for his professional draft announcement, Furuta was not selected by any team in the 1987 draft. This rejection was reportedly due to an unverified rumor spread by then-Nippon-Ham Fighters general manager Keiji Osawa that Furuta suffered from "night blindness" (鳥目_torime^Japanese). Furuta himself later reflected that his astigmatism and glasses were likely the real reason. This profound disappointment ignited a strong fighting spirit within him, making him determined to prove himself in professional baseball.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in March 1988, Furuta joined Toyota Motors in April 1988, where he was assigned to the human resources department. In his corporate role, he managed employee issues and organized company recreational events. He also gained experience in sales at dealerships, which he credited with developing a "normal" sense of financial reality that proved useful later in his professional career. As the regular catcher and a key batter for the Toyota Motors corporate team, he contributed to the team's runner-up finish in the 1988 Intercity Baseball Tournament as a reinforcement player. In August 1988, Furuta was selected for the Seoul Olympics baseball team, then a demonstration sport. He strategically researched the preferences of the Japan team's manager, emphasizing energy and resilience in adverse international conditions to secure his spot. Teaming with future stars like Hideo Nomo and Tetsuya Shiozaki, he helped Japan earn a silver medal. In his second year with Toyota, he led the team to its first Intercity Tournament appearance in nine years.

Leading up to the 1989 draft, Furuta reportedly hoped to be drafted by the Yomiuri Giants or the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Yakult's scouting director, Hiroo Kataoka, who had been impressed by Furuta's performance in the Olympics, pushed for his selection. However, the newly appointed Yakult manager, Katsuya Nomura, initially expressed skepticism, stating his belief that "no great catcher comes from university" and that he preferred to develop his own catchers. Accounts differ on the events of the draft. Kataoka claimed Nomura tried to stop Furuta's selection moments before the draft, arguing he would cultivate a catcher himself. Kataoka insisted on keeping the promise to Furuta, even expressing a desire to pick him first overall. Nomura, conversely, stated he asked Kataoka for good catcher candidates and was told about Furuta with glasses, to which he replied that glasses were "no problem." Another scout, Koji Torihara, suggested Nomura was unaware of any pre-draft promise and merely mumbled about Furuta's glasses, without rejecting him outright. Despite the internal friction, Yakult ultimately selected Furuta in the second round, as initially planned.

2.1. Early Success and Dominance (1990-2000)

In 1990, Furuta was one of only two rookies chosen for the top-team camp in Yuma, Arizona. Despite media speculation about his potential, Manager Katsuya Nomura initially held a cautious view, famously assessing Furuta as having a "first-class arm, second-class batting, and third-class pitch-calling." Nomura also publicly commented on Furuta's glasses, stating they might cause his mask to slip. Initially, Shinji Hata, the previous year's main catcher, started the season. However, Hata's defensive struggles prompted Nomura to reluctantly promote Furuta to the starting lineup on April 28, stating he was "forced" to play Furuta due to dissatisfaction with Hata and other catchers. By early June, Hata was converted to an outfielder, solidifying Furuta's position as the starting catcher.

Furuta quickly proved his worth. He was selected for the All-Star Game as a rookie, a testament to his immediate impact. Nomura, though often critical, saw Furuta's positive attitude, as Furuta would sit closer to him in the dugout to absorb his teachings, indicating a shift in his baseball philosophy from "power baseball" to "head baseball." Veteran catcher Yukio Yaegashi praised Furuta for fostering improved communication between pitchers and catchers. In his debut season, Furuta recorded the league's best stolen base prevention rate of .527, earning his first Golden Glove Award.

The 1991 season was a breakthrough year for Furuta. In the first game of the All-Star Series at Tokyo Dome, he threw out three runners attempting to steal in a single inning, earning the All-Star Game MVP award. He entered into a fierce batting title race with Hiromitsu Ochiai of the Chunichi Dragons. On October 13, Nomura controversially ordered intentional walks for Ochiai for all six of his at-bats in a direct matchup, setting a Japanese record for walks in a single game. Despite this, Ochiai briefly surged ahead. However, in the final game of the season, under immense pressure, Furuta secured the batting title by hitting a single in his first at-bat, ultimately finishing with a .340 average. He became only the second catcher in NPB history, after Katsuya Nomura, and the first in the Central League, to win a batting title.

In 1992, Furuta recorded a 24-game hitting streak from June 6 to July 11. In the second game of the All-Star Series at Chiba Marine Stadium, he achieved the first-ever cycle in All-Star Game history, earning his second All-Star MVP award. He played every game that season, hitting for a .316 batting average, a career-high 30 home runs (tied for second in the league), and 86 RBIs (fifth in the league). His exceptional performance on both offense and defense was instrumental in leading the Yakult Swallows to their first league championship in 14 years since 1978. Though the team lost the 1992 Japan Series 3-4 to the Saitama Seibu Lions, their success set the stage for future triumphs.

The 1993 season saw the Swallows capture another league championship and, crucially, their first Japan Series title in 15 years, defeating the Seibu Lions 4-3 in a much-anticipated rematch that highlighted the catcher's duel between Furuta and Tsutomu Ito. Furuta was a driving force, playing in every game and setting a Japanese record for stolen base prevention rate at .644, a mark that remains unbroken. His outstanding season earned him the Central League MVP award, as he recorded a career-high 90 runs and 161 hits (the most in the league). A controversial incident occurred on May 27 against the Yomiuri Giants when Hiromoto Okubo was hit by a pitch. Furuta's comment to the umpire about it being a foul tip reportedly angered the Giants, leading to a retaliatory hit-by-pitch against Furuta in the next game on June 8, which escalated into a bench-clearing brawl.

In 1994, shortly after his CD debut, Furuta suffered a fractured right index finger from a foul tip in the fourth game of the season, leading to a long absence. Despite returning on June 14, he struggled at the plate, batting only .238 with 3 home runs and 19 RBIs in 76 games, and the team finished fourth. He bounced back in 1995, playing in all regular season games and contributing to the Swallows' second league championship in three years. In the 1995 Japan Series against the Orix BlueWave, Furuta's strategic pitch-calling and game management were pivotal in containing slugger Ichiro Suzuki, leading the Swallows to a 4-1 victory and their second Japan Series title. Later that year, he married Miho Nakai, then an announcer for Fuji Television. Furuta also caught a no-hitter thrown by Terry Bross in 1995.

In 1997, Furuta played in every game, serving as the cleanup hitter. He posted a .322 batting average (third in the league) and drove in 86 runs (sixth in the league). The Swallows won another league championship and defeated the Seibu Lions in the 1997 Japan Series 4-1. Furuta hit a go-ahead home run against Hisanobu Watanabe in Game 3. For his exceptional performance, he became the first catcher in NPB history to win both the season MVP and Japan Series MVP awards in the same year, and he also received the prestigious Matsutaro Shoriki Award. He caught his second career no-hitter, thrown by Kazuhisa Ishii, in 1997.

By 1998, Furuta had achieved 1,000 career games, but his batting performance dipped, and the team finished fourth. After this season, his mentor and manager, Katsuya Nomura, retired from the Swallows. Furuta exercised his free agency rights, signing a five-year contract to remain with Yakult, and notably assumed the role of President of the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association, a position that would become pivotal in the coming years.

Under new manager Tsutomu Wakamatsu, Furuta achieved his fifth season with a batting average above .300 in 1999. He was also selected as the oldest player for the Japan national team in the 20th Asian Baseball Championship, the Asian qualifier for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where he formed a battery with a 15-year younger Daisuke Matsuzaka. In 2000, although the Swallows missed out on an Olympic berth by finishing fourth for the third consecutive season, Furuta personally achieved a stolen base prevention rate exceeding .600 for the second time in his career.

2.2. Later Career and Milestone Achievements (2001-2005)

In 2001, while the Swallows were in a tight pennant race, Furuta suffered a severe left knee posterior cruciate ligament injury on August 28 against the Chunichi Dragons, sidelining him for three weeks. He was removed from the active roster for 19 games until September 17. Upon his return, he initially appeared as a pinch hitter before resuming his starting catcher role on September 24, wearing a specially designed leg guard to prevent excessive knee bending. On October 6, the Swallows clinched their first league championship in four years, their fifth overall under Furuta's tenure. He finished the season with a .324 batting average, the second-highest of his career and second in the league, after a close batting title race with Hideki Matsui. In the 2001 Japan Series against the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, Furuta's exceptional performance, including a .500 batting average (7-for-14) with one home run and seven RBIs, was crucial. He effectively neutralized the powerful "itemae-dassen" (いてまえ打線^Japanese, "go-for-broke lineup") of the Buffaloes, limiting them to a .171 team batting average and leading the Swallows to a 4-1 victory, earning his second Japan Series MVP award.

In 2002, Furuta maintained a .300 batting average, though his home run total dropped below ten for the first time in four years. He notably excelled in high-pressure situations, recording an impressive .727 batting average with the bases loaded. The 2003 season saw Furuta play through a fractured right ring finger, sustained just before opening day. Despite the injury, he missed only one start as a catcher. On June 28, he achieved a rare feat against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, hitting four home runs in a single game, including four consecutive home runs, tying the Japanese record for both achievements. Although his batting average dipped below .300 for the first time in two years, he hit over 20 home runs, a mark he hadn't reached since 1995.

The 2004 season began promisingly, with Furuta contending for a batting title. However, his demanding role as the President of the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association, particularly amidst the tumultuous league realignment crisis, took a toll on his performance as the season progressed. Despite the strain, he managed to maintain a .306 batting average, marking his eighth career season batting above .300 and his final season reaching the minimum plate appearances. Achieving a .300+ batting average at age 39 made him only the third player in NPB history and the first catcher to do so. His .306 average was the third-highest for his age, and his 148 hits tied the record for players aged 39. In contrast, his stolen base prevention rate significantly declined to a career-low .259, ranking last in the league, signaling a noticeable weakening of his throwing arm.

On April 24, 2005, at Botchan Stadium against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Atsuya Furuta achieved a significant personal milestone: his 2,000th career hit. He became only the 32nd player in NPB history, the second catcher (after Katsuya Nomura), and the first player drafted from a university or corporate team to reach this prestigious mark. However, his health issues persisted throughout the season. On April 27, he suffered a left testicle contusion against the Yomiuri Giants, forcing him to be sidelined for a week. This injury led to a decline in his overall condition, resulting in tonsillitis and another stint on the disabled list. On August 19, a left hamstring tear further limited his playing time, leading him to yield opportunities to younger catchers like Kosei Ono and Tomohito Yoneno. On October 5, he achieved another career milestone, recording his 1,000th career RBI.

5.1. Defensive Skills

During his prime, Atsuya Furuta was widely considered the best catcher in Japan, earning the moniker "ID野球_{ID Yakyu}^Japanese's poster child" due to his strategic intelligence and analytical approach, particularly under manager Katsuya Nomura's "ID baseball" philosophy. He was known for his unconventional pitch-calling, sometimes asking for breaking pitches on the first pitch or fastballs down the middle on a third strike to surprise batters.

His defensive excellence was highlighted by his extraordinary arm strength, swift throwing motion, and remarkably accurate throws. In 1991, he recorded 12 consecutive stolen base attempts thrown out. In 1993, he set an unbroken Japanese record for a single-season stolen base prevention rate at .644. He achieved a stolen base prevention rate of over .600 again in 2000 and led the league in this category ten times throughout his career. From his rookie season, he maintained a prevention rate of over .400 for 13 consecutive years, showcasing remarkable consistency. His career stolen base prevention rate of .462 is also a Japanese record.

Furuta's physical attributes, particularly his exceptional hip joint flexibility, were often cited as a key factor in his catching abilities. He described this flexibility as innate, allowing him to sit in a "girl's squat" position and noting his knees were "loose-jointed" or even "loose-limbed." This flexibility enabled him to move his lower body precisely to frame pitches, making borderline balls appear as strikes, a technique praised by fellow catchers like Akihiro Yano and Shinichi Murata. Yano observed that Furuta's ability to shift his body's center of gravity rather than just moving his hand made pitches consistently appear as strikes to the umpire.

He preferred using larger mitts, not for show, but simply because it made catching easier. Furuta also developed unique techniques that challenged conventional wisdom. For instance, he defied the traditional catching theory of "keeping elbows tight" by deliberately holding his arms loose and his index finger at approximately a 45-degree angle. He believed that a tight stance restricted elbow movement, forcing catchers to scoop low pitches from above, which could make them appear as balls. His "arms-loose" stance allowed him to "scoop from below," making those pitches look like strikes. Even Nomura, upon seeing this, reportedly acknowledged, "Oh. You do it that way. I see, I learned something."

According to teammate Shin'ya Miyamoto, Furuta was solely responsible for directing the team's defensive shifts and positioning. Miyamoto observed that after 2006, when Furuta's playing time significantly decreased, more ground balls that previously would have been caught began to slip through the outfield, highlighting Furuta's profound impact on the team's overall defense.

While primarily a catcher, Furuta also played other positions on rare occasions, including left field in 1993 and first base in 1997. Due to the extensive wear and tear from catching, the tendon between his thumb and index finger on his throwing hand became severely damaged. After retirement, his thumb would visibly droop when his palm was open, a condition he demonstrated on his official YouTube channel in 2021.

5.2. Batting Skills

Atsuya Furuta was an exceptional offensive catcher, holding the record for the most seasons (eight) with a batting average above .300 among professional catchers in Japan. His career batting average of .294 ranks ninth among players with over 7,000 at-bats. In 1991, he won the batting title with a .3398 average, which stood as the highest single-season batting average for a catcher in the two-league era until Shinnosuke Abe surpassed it in 2012.

Coach Yasuhiro Mitsui noted in Furuta's rookie year that his swing did not resemble that of a lower-order hitter, indicating his raw talent. Furuta himself stated he observed and learned from Hiromitsu Ochiai's batting style as a rookie. He held unique batting philosophies, emphasizing the importance of the first pitch to avoid falling behind with two strikes, which he believed significantly lowered batting averages.

Furuta was known for frequently changing bats depending on the opposing pitcher and the type of pitches he expected, reasoning that a shorter bat might connect better with a slow curve, while a longer one might be better for the sweet spot on faster pitches. He also used changing bats as a psychological tool to reset his mindset and avoid dwelling on past failures. Despite his consistent offensive output, he admitted to not having a fixed batting form, and his hitting coach, Takao Ise, described his style as "無手勝流_muteshōryū^Japanese" (no-style or improvisational fighting). In 2021, Furuta characterized himself as a "short-distance hitter" focused on batting average and singles rather than home runs.

After retirement, he shared his batting theories, explaining techniques such as subtly swaying forward on the back foot to prevent the wrist from turning on close pitches, and pulling the front elbow back while swinging to rotate from the right leg, which helps avoid getting jammed on inside pitches. He also noted a shift in coaching, with fewer modern instructors strictly enforcing the "tight elbows" rule.

5.3. Leadership and Game Intelligence

Atsuya Furuta's impact on the field extended beyond his individual skills, rooted in his exceptional leadership and deep understanding of the game. Katsuya Nomura described Furuta as a "strong-willed, confident, and attention-seeking" individual, an unusual type who possessed both the instincts of a catcher and the mindset of a pitcher. This dual perspective allowed him to analyze opposing batters relentlessly and anticipate plays with remarkable accuracy, making him a true "ID baseball" mastermind.

As noted by teammate Shin'ya Miyamoto, Furuta was the primary architect of the team's defensive strategy and positioning during games. His ability to orchestrate the defense around the pitcher and the anticipated actions of the opposing batter was a testament to his profound game intelligence. His leadership was not just about calling pitches but about shaping the entire defensive alignment, a role that became significantly missed after his playing time diminished.

6.1. Baseball Theory

Furuta held specific theories on various aspects of baseball, particularly team strategy, pitcher-catcher communication, and player development. Regarding pitcher-catcher communication, he advocated for rookie pitchers to "shake your head if you disagree" with his pitch calls. His rationale was that by expressing their will, pitchers would take ownership and responsibility for their pitches, leading to more determined throws.

He strongly believed that for a player to truly succeed and become a regular, they must eliminate their weaknesses, not just rely on their strengths. He also had nuanced views on pitch-calling, cautioning against predictable patterns, such as always attempting to get a swing-and-miss on an outside breaking ball, as this could make the catcher's intentions too obvious in crucial moments. He emphasized that for a catcher, the most frightening outcome is not necessarily giving up a home run, but giving one up in a critical situation.

During his tenure as player-manager, Furuta's strategic approach often diverged from traditional "ID baseball" expectations, leading to criticism from some journalists who expected a more "meticulous" style. However, Furuta maintained that his "win by hitting" philosophy, particularly his controversial decision to use Adam Riggs as a "no-bunt number 2 hitter," was a meticulously calculated strategy born out of necessity. He argued that it was more effective to aim for a hit, creating a situation with two runners on base, rather than sacrificing an out with a bunt, especially given Riggs' speed and low double-play risk. He also cited the team's lack of developed catchers and reliable pitchers at the time, which left him no choice but to prioritize offense to win games. From Furuta's perspective, this aggressive, "win by hitting" approach was the "most meticulous" baseball strategy possible given his team's limitations, despite Katsuya Nomura's criticism that his tactical decisions were "the complete opposite of mine."

6.2. "Yujukettan" Philosophy

Atsuya Furuta formalized his personal philosophy as "優柔決断_{Yūjū Ketsudan}^Japanese" (deliberate decision-making), a concept that advocates for thorough information gathering before making a decisive, albeit perhaps initially appearing "indecisive," choice. He observed that while modern young players have an abundance of information, they often suffer from "information overload" and a lack of real-world experience, leading to a deficit in decision-making abilities. He attributed this to a potentially "overprotective" upbringing. To counter this, Furuta sometimes adopted a more "rough" approach, forcibly guiding players to ensure they focused on the immediate task at hand without overthinking the outcome. However, he also noted that for sensitive pitchers, he would offer reassurance, even if it meant "lying a little," to ensure their confidence.

Furuta emphasized the importance of playing at approximately 80% effort throughout a long season to ensure consistent performance and availability, stressing the need for players to effectively switch "on" and "off" mentally and physically. He believed that a superior player was one who could consistently play every game of the season, viewing it as a professional duty to the spectators.

He was known for his directness and high expectations, which contrasted with modern sensibilities. Teammate Shin'ya Miyamoto recalled instances of Furuta scolding outfielders who showed fear of crashing into walls or pitchers over 30 who couldn't execute quick pitches, telling them to "just quit." Furuta attributed his own exceptional catching skills, in part, to "not listening much to what others said," highlighting his belief that catching, despite requiring significant skill, is "hard to teach."

Furuta strongly advocated for baseball players to read, especially after Katsuya Nomura praised him for reading serious books, leading Furuta to believe that reading helps cultivate "humanity and social understanding" and "trains the brain." He lamented that some players, especially those who had been immersed in baseball since childhood, resisted reading and often failed to pay attention in team meetings.

He also believed that professional baseball players have a duty to provide "romance" to the audience. He criticized batters who would cut short their at-bats to perform an early sacrifice bunt, stating, "that's not professional baseball." He once admonished Hideki Matsui for frequently aiming for the left-field foul pole at Meiji Jingu Stadium during his playing days, telling him, "Matsui... your ambition is low," suggesting he should aim for greater feats. Furuta also noted a shift in pitching trends, observing that modern pitchers increasingly rely on two-seam fastballs and cutters, moving away from the "romance" of pure fastballs that older pitchers prioritized. Furthermore, he was a proponent of running, asserting that it provided greater physical benefits than weight training.

7.1. Role in the 2004 Baseball Strike

Atsuya Furuta's most significant social impact came during the 2004 professional baseball realignment crisis, where he emerged as a powerful advocate for players' rights. As the President of the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association (JPBPA) since 1998, he spearheaded the players' resistance against the proposed merger of the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Orix BlueWave, which would have reduced the league to a single 10-team structure. The owners, citing financial difficulties, particularly among Pacific League teams compared to the more profitable Central League teams like the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers, sought to eliminate the Buffaloes and streamline the league structure.

The dispute escalated dramatically when Tsuneo Watanabe, the owner of the Yomiuri Giants, controversially dismissed Furuta as "a mere player," implying that players had no right to influence the league's future. This remark further galvanized the players and garnered widespread public support for Furuta and the union. Initially planned for September 11, 2004, the strike was postponed for a meeting but proceeded the following week when negotiations stalled.

From September 18 to September 19, 2004, the JPBPA, under Furuta's leadership, staged the first player strike in the history of Japanese professional baseball. This unprecedented action immediately forced a compromise between the owners and the union. Although the Buffaloes were ultimately merged with the BlueWave to form the Orix Buffaloes, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles were newly created to preserve the traditional six-team league structure, a major victory for the players. The strike received extensive press coverage, with public opinion largely siding with Furuta and the JPBPA, and it was widely considered one of the most significant events in Japanese baseball history. During this period, the union and owners also discussed proposals for inter-league games, player drafting, and management practices, which led to further reforms. The dispute officially concluded on September 23, 2004, with both parties reaching a consensus.

Furuta's leadership during this crisis had a profound impact on the JPBPA, significantly increasing player rights and mending relationships between the professional leagues and the amateur baseball association in Japan. His actions during the strike became a nationwide event, and fans of all teams enthusiastically cheered for him whenever he appeared. He remained the leader of the players' union until 2005, stepping down in 2006 upon becoming a player-manager.

7.2. Public Image and Reception

Atsuya Furuta cultivated a distinctive public image throughout his career, earning popular nicknames and eliciting varied public and media responses. Initially, his combination of glasses and a somewhat unassuming demeanor led some media outlets to dub him "野比のび太_Nobita^Japanese" (a character from the manga *Doraemon*). However, he successfully embraced his "glasses catcher" identity, turning it into a trademark.

In 2006 and 2007, as part of the "F-Project" during his player-manager tenure, Furuta personally produced "Megane Day" (Glasses Day) fan events. On these days, fans wearing glasses (including fake ones) received gifts upon entry, and displays of Furuta's past glasses were set up. Players, coaches, team staff, and mascots also wore glasses as part of the fan service, and even reporters joined in. These events helped solidify his popular image.

He was widely known as "Mr. Swallows" (ミスタースワローズ_{Misutā Suwarōzu}^Japanese), a title he overwhelmingly earned in a 2014 survey by MyNavi News, where he received 47.5% of the votes, significantly more than any other candidate. His strong leadership on and off the field, particularly during the 2004 strike, further enhanced his public standing. In November 2006, he was also recognized in the Sports category of the "GQ JAPAN Men of the Year" awards.

7.3. Awards and Honors

Atsuya Furuta's distinguished career was recognized with numerous awards, titles, and records:

• Titles**
  • Batting Champion: 1 time (1991)
  • Most Hits: 1 time (1993) - *This was not an official title at the time, but he led the league.*
  • Awards**
    • Most Valuable Player (MVP): 2 times (1993, 1997)
    • Best Nine Award: 9 times (1991-1993, 1995, 1997, 1999-2001, 2004) - *Tied for the most by a catcher in the Central League.*
    • Golden Glove Award: 10 times (1990-1993, 1995, 1997, 1999-2001, 2004) - *Second-most all-time and most in the Central League for a catcher. His 4 consecutive awards tied the Central League record for a catcher.*
      • Mitsui Golden Glove Legends (Catcher category)
    • Central League Special Awards:
      • President's Special Award: 2003 (for his 4-home run game, tying the NPB record)
      • Special Achievement Award: 2007
    • Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (Player Category): 2015
    • Matsutaro Shoriki Award: 1 time (1997) - *Awarded as a player.*
    • Japan Series MVP: 2 times (1997, 2001)
    • Monthly MVP: 4 times (May 1991, August 1993, May 1997, September 1997)
    • Best Battery Award: 6 times (1991 with Ryuji Nishimura, 1992 with Yoichi Okabayashi, 1995 with Terry Bross, 1997 with Kazuya Tabata, 2000 with Ryota Igarashi, 2001 with Shugo Fujii) - *Tied for the most times awarded.*
      • Best Battery Special Award: 1 time (1993)
    • All-Star Game MVP: 2 times (Game 1 in 1991, Game 2 in 1992)
    • Most Valuable JCB-MEP Award: 1 time (1993)
    • JA Zennoh Go-Go Award: 2 times (Strong Arm Award: September 1993; Most Doubles/Triples Award: August 2000)
    • Hochi Pro Sports Award: 3 times (1992, 1997, 2001)
    • Japan Pro Sports Award of Merit: 3 times (1993, 1997, 2001)
    • Mainichi Sports Person Award: Fan Award (1997), Culture Award (2004)
    • Golden Arrow Award (Sports category): 2004
    • Hyogo Prefecture Sports Excellence Special Award: 2005 (for achieving 2,000 hits)
    • Records**
      • Season stolen base prevention rate: .644 (1993) - Japan record.
      • 4 consecutive home runs: June 28, 2003 - *Tied for 17th player, 18th instance in NPB history.*
      • 4 home runs in a single game: June 28, 2003 - *Tied for the most in NPB history.*
      • 19 putouts by a catcher in a single game: April 6, 2005 - *Tied Japan record.*
      • All-Star Game appearances: 17 times (1990-2006). *He participated as a coach in 2007.*
      • Uniform Number**
        • 27 (1990-2007) - *Designated as a quasi-retired "honorary number" by the Yakult Swallows.*

        

11.1. Batting Statistics

11.2. Fielding Statistics (Catcher)

11.3. Managerial Statistics