Katsuo Hirata

2.1. Early life and education

Katsuo Hirata was born on July 31, 1959, in Imabuku-cho, Matsuura, Nagasaki, Japan. He attended Kaisei High School in Nagasaki City, where he became the starting shortstop in his second year. During his high school career, he participated in the 58th National High School Baseball Championship, where his team, featuring pitcher Keiichi Sakai, reached the semi-finals but was defeated by PL Gakuen High School in an extra-inning game. The following year, Hirata also competed in the 49th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, where he had the honor of delivering the player's oath during the opening ceremony. In the second round (their first game), his team was eliminated by pitcher Yasuhiro Yamaoki of Kochi Prefectural Nakamura High School.

After graduating from high school, Hirata enrolled in Meiji University, joining the Meiji University Baseball Club. There, he received guidance from the renowned baseball coach Yoshiro Shimada. Under Shimada's tutelage, Meiji University achieved significant success, winning the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League championship four times during Hirata's tenure. They also secured three titles in the All-Japan University Baseball Championship Series and won the Meiji Jingu Baseball Tournament in 1979. Throughout his university career, Hirata played in 83 league games, accumulating 96 hits in 307 at-bats for a batting average of .313. He hit 2 home runs and recorded 39 RBI. His exceptional defensive skills earned him four Best Nine selections. Hirata was particularly noted for his proficient sacrifice bunt technique; during his two consecutive appearances in the Japan-U.S. University Baseball Championship in 1980 and 1981, commentators frequently praised his bunts as "100% accurate." His university classmates included ace pitcher Shinichi Morioka. Years later, when Meiji University won the All-Japan University Baseball Championship in 2019, breaking a long title drought since Hirata's time, then-manager Tatsuya Zenba, who was a freshman during Hirata's era, specifically mentioned Hirata and eight other former teammates in his victory interview.

Initially, coach Shimada believed Hirata's relatively weak hitting would hinder his success in professional baseball and advised him to pursue a career in social baseball. Hirata himself was prepared to follow this advice, even waiting in a separate room during his professional contract negotiations, leaving Shimada to handle the discussions. However, Hanshin Tigers' new manager, Akinobu Ando, a graduate of Keio University, skillfully flattered Shimada, who held a strong rivalry with Waseda University and Keio. Pleased by Ando's compliments, Shimada called Hirata into the room and, on the spot, instructed him to join Hanshin.

2.2. Playing career

In the 1981 NPB draft, Katsuo Hirata was a second-round pick, with both the Yokohama Taiyo Whales (now Yokohama DeNA BayStars) and the Hanshin Tigers selecting him. The Tigers ultimately won the lottery, securing his entry into professional baseball.

Hirata debuted with the Hanshin Tigers in 1982. The team's starting shortstop at the time was Akinobu Mayumi. However, when Mayumi suffered an injury in May 1983, Hirata stepped in and established himself as the regular shortstop. Upon Mayumi's return, he shifted to second base to fill the void left by an injury to Akinobu Okada. In 1983, Hirata started 83 games.

From 1984 to 1987, Hirata solidified his reputation as a defensive stalwart, earning the Golden Glove Award (then known as the Diamond Glove Award) for shortstop for four consecutive years. In 1984, he reached the qualified number of plate appearances, finishing 29th in the league with a batting average of .268. His offensive contributions peaked in 1985, a historic year for the Hanshin Tigers as they clinched their first Central League pennant in 21 years and their first-ever Japan Series championship. Batting seventh in the lineup, Hirata recorded over 50 RBI. On October 10 of that year, in a game against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, he hit his first career grand slam, which was also his first grand slam in his entire baseball life. In the 1985 Japan Series against the Seibu Lions, Hirata contributed significantly to the team's victory, collecting 3 hits in Game 1 and a total of 7 hits in 22 at-bats with 1 RBI throughout the series.

In 1988, with the arrival of new manager Minoru Murayama, Yutaka Wada took over as the primary shortstop, and Hirata transitioned into a more reserved role, playing fewer than 100 games annually. Despite reduced playing time, his exceptional defensive skills and bunting expertise made him a valuable utility player. In 1990, although he started only 8 games, he maintained a strong batting average of .347 primarily as a pinch hitter.

Hirata retired from professional baseball in 1994. His retirement game was held on October 1 against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Koshien Stadium, where he started as the second batter and shortstop. In his final at-bat, despite manager Katsuhiro Nakamura's instruction to swing, Hirata chose to execute a sacrifice bunt, a testament to his fundamental playing style. During his playing days, Hirata, along with Kiyoki Nakanishi and Katsuhiko Kido, was affectionately known as the "NHK Trio."

2.3. Coaching and commentator career

After retiring as a player, Katsuo Hirata embarked on a new phase of his career, first as a baseball commentator for MBS and a critic for Sports Nippon from 1995 to 1996.

In 1997, he returned to the Hanshin Tigers organization as the first-team infield defense coach. He continued as the first-team defense coach from 1999 to 2000, and then as the first-team defense and base running coach in 2001. During his coaching tenure, Hirata was known for his loud, energetic personality, serving as a mood maker for the team. His coaching philosophy was characterized by the motto of "strict yet enjoyable" instruction.

In 2002, with the appointment of his university senior Senichi Hoshino as manager, Hirata took on the unique role of Hoshino's exclusive public relations officer and personal driver. During this time, he humorously recalled choosing "731" as the license plate number for Hoshino's car, which was his own birthday, leading to a playful reprimand from Hoshino, who had expected a number related to his own name, "1001" (Senichi).

After Hoshino's retirement as manager in 2004, Hirata returned to the field as the first-team head coach under manager Akinobu Okada. On September 7, 2005, during a game against the Chunichi Dragons at Nagoya Dome, Hirata was ejected from the game in the ninth inning for pushing umpire Jun Kitsutaka after a controversial call at home plate involving a close play.

From 2007, Hirata managed the Hanshin Tigers' farm team. In 2010, he led the team to their first Western League championship in four years, though he departed the team after the season concluded.

In 2011, Hirata resumed his roles as an MBS commentator and Sports Nippon critic. His first assignment upon returning was an interview with Senichi Hoshino, who had just been appointed manager of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. In 2012, while continuing his commentary and criticism, he was invited to join the "Ashiya Gakuen Sports Modernism Project" and became a visiting professor at Ashiya University in April of that year.

Hirata returned to the Hanshin Tigers as the farm team manager in 2013, a position he held through 2014. In 2015, he was appointed first-team head coach, and from 2016, he served as the first-team chief and defense/base running coach. He then returned to manage the farm team again from 2019. On June 14, 2019, Commissioner Atsushi Saito issued a strict warning to Hirata for failing to properly notify a player substitution during a game against the Orix Buffaloes farm team on June 13.

In 2021, Hirata's farm team achieved a remarkable feat, going on an 18-game winning streak (including draws) from July 30 against Orix to September 15 against Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks at Koshien, setting a new NPB farm team record, surpassing the 15-game streak set by the Yomiuri Giants farm team in 1999. Following this impressive run, his team won the Western League championship on September 24 by defeating Orix at Koshien, securing their first league title in three years. The team concluded the season with a record of 65 wins, 34 losses, and 7 draws in 106 games, achieving a winning percentage of .657. On October 9, they further cemented their success by defeating the Chiba Lotte Marines farm team, the Eastern League champions, in the Farm Japan Championship held at Hinata Sun Marine Stadium Miyazaki, clinching the farm Japan championship title.

In 2023, with Akinobu Okada's return as the first-team manager, Hirata was re-appointed as the first-team head coach. He played a crucial role in the team's acquisition of pitcher Kōtarō Ohtake from the SoftBank Hawks in the active player draft, having highly evaluated Ohtake's performance during their farm team matchups. In 2023, Hirata experienced his second Japan Series championship, 38 years after his first as a player in 1985. He is slated to return to the role of farm team manager in 2025.

2.4. Media activities and public image

Katsuo Hirata is widely recognized for his bright and outgoing personality, which earned him the affectionate nickname "Mickey" during his playing days, due to his resemblance to Mickey Mouse. When he returned as an MBS Radio baseball commentator, he was given catchphrases like "The Returned Festival Man" (in 2011) and "The Tiger's Festival Man" (from 2012 onwards) for Hanshin Tigers game broadcasts.

His media appearances include television programs such as Samurai Professional Baseball (MBS TV, 2011-2012), Moko File and with Tigers '12 (MBS TV, 2011-2012), where he hosted segments evaluating Hanshin players and their performance. He also made irregular guest appearances on Seyanen! (MBS TV), becoming a regular on its sports segment from July 2, 2011, to October 13, 2012, and occasionally appeared on Chichinpui Pui (MBS TV) for professional baseball topics, especially those concerning Hanshin. On radio, he was a commentator for MBS Baseball Park (MBS Radio, 2011-2012) and hosted the Thursday edition of the off-season program MBS Toragumi Tigers Live! in 2011. He also made a studio appearance on Hori Masao no Hori Navi!! (ABC Radio) on October 19, 2016, for a segment on former professional baseball players.

During the 2005 Central League championship celebration, prompted by then-star player Tomuaki Kanemoto, Hirata boldly called out to manager Okada, who was giving a speech on stage, saying, "Hey, Okada!" He then loudly declared, "If we become Japan champions, toss me up!" However, the team subsequently lost the 2005 Japan Series to the Chiba Lotte Marines in four straight games, making the celebratory toss a phantom.

Hirata's public image gained significant traction following the Hanshin Tigers' 2023 Japan Series victory. During the celebratory beer shower on November 6, he delivered a memorable closing speech that went viral. He began with a humorous oyaji gyagu pun, stating, "宴も竹中直人ですが、日もどっぷり暮れたところで、中島みゆきさせていただきます_{En mo Takenaka Naoto desu ga, Hi mo doppu kureta tokoro de Nakajima Miyuki sasete itadakimasu}^Japanese" (a play on "The party is at its height, but I'll close it now," using the names of celebrities Naoto Takenaka and Miyuki Nakajima). He then exhorted the players, saying, "You have finally caught up to where Manager Okada and Head Coach Hirata were as players 38 years ago. Now, try to surpass us!" Holding a bottle of Asahi Super Dry beer, he then addressed the television cameras, exclaiming, "全国の野球ファンのみなさん、おつかれ生です。スーパードライ！コマーシャル待ってます！_{Zenkoku no yakyū fan no minasan, otsukare nama desu. Sūpā Dorai! Komāsharu mattemasu!}^Japanese" (To all baseball fans nationwide, good work, have a draft beer! Super Dry! Waiting for a commercial!).

This speech garnered immense attention on television, radio, and YouTube. Asahi Breweries, an official sponsor of the Hanshin Tigers, subsequently offered Hirata a commercial appearance. He featured in a YouTube promotional video for Asahi Draft Beer (released November 24, 2023), titled "野球ファンのみなさん、おつかれ生です。_{Yakyū fan no minasan, otsukare nama desu.}^Japanese" (To all baseball fans, good work, have a draft beer.). The video incorporated footage from the celebration and the theme song "元気を出して_{Genki o Dashite}^Japanese" by Mariya Takeuchi. It also featured new footage of Hirata in a Tigers uniform holding a bottle of Asahi Draft Beer , explicitly stating, "『マルエフ』はもう間違いなく、『スーパードライ』と共に、『野球』だけに『ヒット』商品_{Maru-F wa mō machigainaku, Sūpā Dorai to tomo ni, yakyū dake ni hitto shōhin}^Japanese" (Maru-F, along with Super Dry, is undoubtedly a "hit" product, especially for baseball), and a large subtitle clarifying, "『おつかれ生です。』は、スーパードライじゃなく、マルエフなんです。_{Otsukare Nama desu wa, Sūpā Dorai janaku, Maru-F nandesu.}^Japanese" ("Otsukare Nama desu" is for Maru-F, not Super Dry). The Hanshin Tigers also released a limited-edition face towel featuring Hirata with a beer mug and the phrase "おつかれ生です。_{Otsukare Nama desu.}^Japanese"

Hirata later clarified that he borrowed the "おつかれ生です。_{Otsukare Nama desu.}^Japanese" phrase from the Asahi Draft Beer commercial because he enjoyed it, and the "oyaji gyagu" pun was a common joke used by his former teammate Kiyoki Nakanishi. During the team's victory trip to Hawaii on December 13, 2023, Hirata again delivered a humorous closing speech at a party in Honolulu, using the phrase "皆さん。1年間、お疲れ生でした_{Minasan. 1-nenkan, otsukare nama deshita}^Japanese" (Everyone, good work for the year, have a draft beer!) and another pun on the Japanese word for "yen" and "circle" (円_en^Japanese), referencing the unfavorable exchange rate for shopping in Hawaii. This speech was delivered while the team was in Hawaii (United States) after departing from Kansai International Airport.

3.1. Playing style and skills

Katsuo Hirata was known for his balanced playing style, characterized by solid defense and clutch hitting, despite not being a powerful slugger. His primary strengths lay in his exceptional defensive prowess and his mastery of "small ball" tactics, particularly his sacrifice bunting.

His defensive skills at shortstop were highly regarded by his contemporaries. Former pitcher Kazuyuki Yamamoto praised Hirata, stating that he "never made an error on any ball he could catch," which provided pitchers with a sense of reliability and confidence on the mound. Hirata possessed a strong throwing arm, capable of making "arrow-like throws" from a deep shortstop position to retire runners at first base. This strong arm and his ability to make crucial defensive plays were evident throughout his career, including his significant contributions to the Hanshin Tigers' success in the 1985 Japan Series, where he repeatedly made excellent defensive plays. His proficiency in sacrifice bunts was so renowned that during his university days, commentators for the Japan-U.S. University Baseball Championship described his bunts as "100% accurate."

3.2. Career statistics and awards

Katsuo Hirata's professional playing career spanned 13 seasons with the Hanshin Tigers.

Awards

• Golden Glove Award: 4 times (Shortstop: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987)
• Yanase Hanshin Tigers MVP Award: 1 time (1984) - He was the first recipient of this award.

Records

• First appearance: April 7, 1982, vs. Chunichi Dragons (Nagoya Stadium), pinch-hitting for Toshoku Uda in the 6th inning.
• First hit: July 31, 1982, vs. Yomiuri Giants (Hanshin Koshien Stadium), a single off Hisao Niura in the 8th inning.
• First RBI: September 2, 1982, vs. Yokohama Taiyo Whales (Yokohama Stadium), an RBI hit off Masaji Hiramatsu in the 7th inning.
• First start: May 7, 1983, vs. Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Meiji Jingu Stadium), starting as the #2 batter and shortstop.
• First home run: May 28, 1983, vs. Yomiuri Giants (Hanshin Koshien Stadium), a solo home run off Hisao Niura in the 1st inning.
• All-Star Game appearances: 1 time (1985)

Jersey Numbers

• 30 (1982-1994)
• 71 (1997-2001)
• 78 (2004-2010, 2015-)
• 72 (2013-2014)

3.3. Managerial accomplishments

As a manager and coach, Katsuo Hirata has led his teams to several significant accomplishments. In 2010, as the manager of the Hanshin Tigers' farm team, he guided them to win the Western League championship, marking their first title in four years.

His most notable managerial achievement came in 2021 when his Hanshin Tigers farm team achieved a historic 18-game winning streak, including draws, from July 30 to September 15. This remarkable run set a new record for NPB farm teams, surpassing the previous record of 15 consecutive wins held by the Yomiuri Giants farm team in 1999. Later that season, on September 24, he led the team to clinch the Western League championship, their first in three years. The team finished the season with an impressive record of 65 wins, 34 losses, and 7 draws in 106 games, achieving a winning percentage of .657. The culmination of their successful season was on October 9, when they defeated the Chiba Lotte Marines farm team, the Eastern League champions, to win the Farm Japan Championship, securing the title of Japan's top farm team.

In 2023, serving as the first-team head coach under manager Akinobu Okada, Hirata played a vital role in the Hanshin Tigers' journey to win the Japan Series. This victory allowed him to experience a Japan Series championship for the first time in 38 years, since his playing days in 1985. His keen eye for talent also contributed to the team's success, notably in the acquisition of pitcher Kōtarō Ohtake through the active player draft, a player Hirata had highly evaluated during his time managing the farm team.

4.1. Positive evaluations

Katsuo Hirata is widely respected within Japanese baseball for his significant contributions as both a player and a coach. His coaching philosophy, often described as "strict yet enjoyable," has been instrumental in the development of young players within the Hanshin Tigers organization. His dedication to fundamentals and his ability to instill a strong work ethic while maintaining a positive atmosphere have been highly praised.

Beyond his on-field impact, Hirata is also recognized for a more nuanced and empathetic side of his personality. An anecdote from his university days, recounted by Meiji University professor Shinichiro Kurimoto, highlights his meticulous nature: Hirata was the only student who would copy reference books verbatim for his reports. While normally unacceptable, Kurimoto granted him credit due to his painstaking neatness, revealing a delicate and diligent aspect to his character.

This empathetic side was notably demonstrated during the retirement game of outfielder Shintaro Yokota in 2019. Yokota, who had developed visual impairment due to a brain tumor, was scheduled to play center field in the ninth inning. However, Hirata, then the farm team manager, chose to put Yokota into the game earlier, in the middle of the eighth inning. Hirata explained that he wanted fans to see Yokota's characteristic dash to his defensive position one last time, a gesture that deeply resonated with many. This decision led to Yokota's "Miracle Back Home," a dramatic play where he made a crucial throw to home plate, ending his career on a high note. Tsukada Masayoshi hit a ground ball (recorded as a single to center field), and Mizutani Shun attempted to score from second base, but Yokota's throw to home plate resulted in an assist, ending his career on a high note. Hirata's actions showcased his deep care for his players and his understanding of the emotional significance of their careers.

4.2. Criticism and controversies

Throughout his extensive career, Katsuo Hirata has faced a few instances of criticism and controversy. One notable incident occurred on September 7, 2005, during a game against the Chunichi Dragons at Nagoya Dome. Serving as the first-team head coach for the Hanshin Tigers, Hirata was ejected from the game in the ninth inning after physically pushing umpire Jun Kitsutaka. This action stemmed from a disagreement over a close play at home plate, leading to a disciplinary action against him.

Another instance of official reprimand came on June 14, 2019. As the Hanshin Tigers' farm team manager, Hirata received a strict warning from NPB Commissioner Atsushi Saito. The warning was issued because Hirata had neglected to properly notify a player substitution during a farm team game against the Orix Buffaloes on June 13. These incidents, while relatively minor in the context of his long career, highlight moments where his passionate involvement led to disciplinary measures.

4.3. Legacy

Katsuo Hirata's legacy in Japanese baseball is multifaceted, encompassing his roles as a dedicated player, an influential coach, and a beloved public figure. As a player for the Hanshin Tigers, he is remembered as a cornerstone of their defense, particularly during the team's historic 1985 Japan Series championship. His four consecutive Golden Glove Awards as a shortstop underscore his defensive excellence and lasting impact on the field.

Transitioning into coaching, Hirata became a pivotal figure in the development of numerous players within the Tigers organization. His "strict yet enjoyable" coaching motto and his ability to foster both discipline and camaraderie have left a significant mark on the younger generations of players. His managerial accomplishments, including leading the farm team to multiple championships and setting a new NPB farm team winning streak record, demonstrate his strategic acumen and leadership capabilities. His return to the first-team coaching staff and subsequent experience of another Japan Series championship in 2023 further solidified his enduring importance to the Hanshin Tigers.

Beyond the diamond, Hirata's charismatic and humorous personality, earning him the nickname "Mickey," has made him a popular media personality and a fan favorite. His memorable antics during championship celebrations, particularly the 2023 "Otsukare Nama desu" incident, have cemented his status as a cultural icon within Japanese baseball. This blend of on-field achievement, coaching influence, and engaging public persona ensures Katsuo Hirata's lasting impact on the Hanshin Tigers and the broader landscape of Japanese professional baseball.