Japanese baseball playerPitcherSaitama Seibu LionsShizuoka Prefecture

Tomomi Takahashi (baseball)

Tomomi Takahashi is a former professional Japanese baseball pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions, known for his closer role and save records despite injuries, who now coaches and comments on baseball.

1. Overview

Tomomi Takahashi (高橋 朋己Takahashi TomomiJapanese), born on November 16, 1988, in Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan, is a former professional baseball pitcher and current baseball commentator and coach. A left-handed pitcher and batter, Takahashi played his entire professional career with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. Known for his effective closer role in the mid-2010s, he set several save records early in his career, including being the first pitcher in Japanese professional baseball history to record a save in each of his team's first three games of the season. Despite significant success, his career was marked by a series of challenging injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2016 and subsequent shoulder issues that led to his retirement in 2020. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching at a baseball academy and became a commentator for Fuji TV TWO. His career reflects both the peaks of athletic achievement and the perseverance required to overcome severe physical setbacks, concluding with an emotional farewell appearance.

2. Early Life and Amateur Career

Tomomi Takahashi's journey in baseball began at a young age, leading him through various amateur levels before his professional debut.

2.1. Early Life and School Years

Takahashi started playing baseball in the second grade of elementary school with the Nakagō Fighters in his hometown of Mishima, Shizuoka, where he initially played as a fielder. During his time at Mishima Tagata Little Senior in junior high school, he transitioned to playing as a pitcher. At Kato Gakuen High School, Takahashi wore the number "1" uniform in his second year. However, in his third year, he primarily played as a first baseman and served as a relief pitcher during the summer. Due to injuries, he was unable to become the team's ace, and his fastball velocity reached a maximum of only 80 mph (129 km/h). He did not participate in the Koshien Tournament during his high school career. While preparing for university, his coach instructed him to chop firewood to strengthen his abdominal and back muscles, which significantly improved his overall muscle strength. Notably, Tomomi Takahashi was the first player from Kato Gakuen High School to enter professional baseball.

2.2. University and Corporate Team Career

Takahashi continued his baseball career at Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University, making his pitching debut in the spring league of the Tokai University Baseball League in his first year. In his third year, he was recognized for his performance and received the Best Pitcher Award in the spring season. Among his university teammates was Koji Inoue. After graduating from university, Takahashi joined Seino Transportation, a corporate baseball team. In his first year with the team, during the 82nd Intercity Baseball Tournament, he made a relief appearance in the ninth inning against JR East Tohoku, pitching 1.1 innings pitched and allowing one earned run, resulting in a loss for his team. In his second year, for the 83rd Intercity Baseball Tournament, he was selected as a reinforcement player for the Oji Paper baseball team. He made a relief appearance in the first round against JR East, pitching 4.2 innings pitched without allowing any earned runs. However, in September of that year, he sustained a shoulder injury, which prevented him from participating in the 38th Industrial Baseball Japan Championship. During his time at Seino Transportation, he was teammates with Shinya Asohata.

3. Professional Career

Tomomi Takahashi's professional career with the Saitama Seibu Lions was marked by both significant achievements as a formidable closer and persistent struggles with injuries.

3.1. Draft and Early Seasons (2013-2015)

Takahashi was selected by the Saitama Seibu Lions in the fourth round of the 2012 Nippon Professional Baseball Draft, held on October 25, 2012. He officially signed with the team, receiving an estimated signing bonus of 40.00 M JPY and an annual salary of 10.00 M JPY. He was assigned uniform number "43."

In 2013, Takahashi spent the early part of the season rehabilitating a left shoulder injury. He was registered to the first team on August 15 and made his professional debut on the same day, pitching for 0.2 innings pitched and giving up one run in the sixth inning against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. On August 31, in a game against the Orix Buffaloes, he earned his first professional hold by pitching 0.1 scoreless innings pitched in relief. His first career win came on October 8 against the Chiba Lotte Marines, where he pitched 1.2 scoreless innings pitched in relief, also marking his 13th consecutive scoreless appearance.

The 2014 season saw Takahashi make the opening day roster. He was appointed as the team's closer mid-season and recorded his first professional save on April 19 against the Orix Buffaloes. He went on to record five consecutive saves starting from an April 25 game against the SoftBank Hawks. That year, he led the team with 29 saves and was third with 13 holds, becoming the first Japanese left-handed pitcher in the Pacific League since Koji Mise in 2004 to record 25 or more saves. Although he was a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year Award, he finished behind Ayumu Ishikawa of the Chiba Lotte Marines in reporter votes. In October, he was selected to represent Japan in the 2014 Japan-U.S. All-Star Series, where he pitched one scoreless inning in both the second and fifth games.

In 2015, Takahashi competed for the closer role with newcomer Miguel Mejia during spring training. After Mejia was sent to the minor league, Takahashi was named the team's closer for the season. He made history by becoming the first pitcher in Japanese professional baseball to record a save in each of the team's first three games of the season, achieved in the opening series against the Orix Buffaloes from March 27. He extended this record to four consecutive saves from the start of the season with a save against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on March 31. His streak ended on April 5 against the SoftBank Hawks, where he did not record a save. In July, he was named a preliminary candidate for the first WBSC Premier12 and was also selected by manager's recommendation for the All-Star Game, where he pitched one inning and allowed one run in the second game on July 18. However, July proved challenging as he allowed runs in six of his eight appearances. After a game on July 25 against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, where he recorded his second loss with three earned runs, he expressed that "it's scary to pitch now." He was subsequently moved to a setup role later that month. He briefly returned to the closer role in late August, recording his first save since July 7. On September 23, in a game against the Orix Buffaloes, he twisted his right ankle while attempting to field a batted ball and was forced to exit the game. He was removed from the active roster on September 25, and subsequent examinations revealed a fibula fracture in his right foot, requiring two to three months for recovery. This injury effectively ended his season and prevented him from participating in the WBSC Premier12, for which he had been selected as a candidate on September 10.

3.2. Injuries and Rehabilitation (2016-2019)

The period from 2016 to 2019 was largely defined by Tomomi Takahashi's struggles with injuries and his dedicated efforts toward rehabilitation.

In 2016, Takahashi began the season on the first-team roster. However, due to stiffness in his left elbow, he was removed from the active roster on April 22. On July 26, it was announced that he had successfully undergone Tommy John surgery (ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction) on his left elbow, a significant procedure with a lengthy recovery period.

Takahashi returned to live action in a minor league (ni-gun) game on June 3, 2017, against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, pitching one scoreless inning in relief. Towards the end of the season, he was registered to the first team on September 30, making three appearances in the top league.

Entering 2018, Takahashi showed promising signs of recovery from his elbow surgery during open practices, pitching 4.2 scoreless innings pitched across six games. This performance earned him a spot on the opening day roster for the first time in two years. However, in his first appearance of the season on March 31 against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, he experienced discomfort in his left shoulder and was forced to leave the game without recording an out. He was removed from the active roster the following day. Due to left shoulder joint pain, he did not make any further appearances in either the first or second team for the remainder of the season. On October 29, the Saitama Seibu Lions informed him that his contract would not be renewed for the following season. However, as previously reported, he re-signed with the team as a development (*ikusei*) player on November 14. His uniform number was changed from "43" to "123." Notably, the club opted to keep his original number "43" vacant, expressing their hope for his return to the main roster. General Manager Hisanobu Watanabe conveyed to Takahashi, "Number 43 is being kept for you," a sentiment that inspired Takahashi to remark, "I was happy to hear that. I want to wear it just one more time."

In 2019, Takahashi resumed catchball in January and continued to throw in the bullpen, but he was unable to make a game appearance during the regular season. He finally returned to live action after approximately one and a half years on October 28, participating in the Miyazaki Phoenix League, an autumn instructional league, in a game against the Doosan Bears from the KBO League. Following this, he also participated in the autumn camp. In accordance with the *ikusei* player system, he was declared a free agent on October 31 but was subsequently re-signed again as an *ikusei* player. During this re-signing, GM Watanabe reiterated that "number 43 is being saved for you," further fueling Takahashi's determination.

3.3. Retirement and Final Appearance (2020)

Despite his efforts, Tomomi Takahashi continued to face challenges in his recovery. In 2020, he was unable to make any appearances in official minor league games. A pivotal moment came in August when he experienced intense pain while serving as a batting practice pitcher, which ultimately led him to consider retirement. On October 20, he officially announced his retirement from professional baseball. During his retirement press conference held on the same day, it was revealed that he would make a final farewell appearance on October 30 in the last farm team game of the season against the Yomiuri Giants farm team at CAR3219 Field. Takahashi openly expressed his concerns about his physical condition, stating he was unsure if his pitches would even reach home plate.

On October 30, the farewell game proceeded as planned. In the top of the ninth inning, with the score tied 2-2 and no outs, Takahashi took the mound. His family, along with General Manager Watanabe, were present to witness the moment. Additionally, the first-team pitchers, who were preparing for their own game at the adjacent MetLife Dome, temporarily halted their practice to watch Takahashi's final outing. Learning of this show of support, Takahashi was deeply moved and reportedly cried continuously in the bullpen before his appearance. As he walked to the mound, his former dominant uniform number "43" was announced, and his long-time entrance music was played, an unusual gesture for a minor league game. He faced Israel Mota and threw a 66 mph (106 km/h) fastball into the strike zone. Mota hit the ball for a short flyout to shortstop, concluding Takahashi's active career with a single pitch. Reflecting on the pitch, he admitted that his shoulder felt "minus 100" compared to its peak condition, and he had taken painkillers to play that day. He had struggled during warm-ups, unable to throw with a catcher in the bullpen, and felt his shoulder "popped" the moment he released the final pitch. He expressed relief that it ended with just one pitch, though he would have liked to record a strikeout. After the game, minor league manager Kazuo Matsui prompted him, and Takahashi was ceremonially lifted into the air ten times near the mound by his teammates. The day after his final appearance, the Saitama Seibu Lions posted a behind-the-scenes video of Takahashi's last day as a player on their official YouTube channel.

4. Playing Style

Tomomi Takahashi's pitching mechanics were characterized by a three-quarters arm slot, closely resembling a sidearm delivery. In his third year as a professional, his fastball velocity consistently ranged from the mid to upper 87 mph (140 km/h) range. In addition to his fastball, he primarily utilized a slider and a split-finger fastball as his main breaking pitches. During spring training before the 2015 season, he actively worked on developing a sinker.

Takahashi often stated that his goal for his baseball career was to live it "thick and short," implying a desire for an impactful but not necessarily prolonged career. Upon his retirement, he reflected on his eight years as a professional, describing it as "a short but very rich and good time." He also expressed gratitude for the team's support during his difficult rehabilitation, noting that they continued to interact with him positively, which made him feel "it was good to have not been corrupted."

5. Personal Life

Beyond the baseball field, Tomomi Takahashi is known for several aspects of his personal life, including his family, hobbies, and notable interactions.

Takahashi is an avid reader and collector of manga. His home boasts a dedicated "manga room" containing approximately 500 volumes, and upon joining the Lions' dormitory, he brought 200 of them with him. After receiving a salary increase following his second professional season, he expressed his intention to use the raise to purchase more manga.

During his active playing career, Takahashi used "Follow Me" by the Japanese girl group E-girls as his entrance music. This song became popular among Seibu Lions fans, who developed a unique cheering style where they would sing "TOMO Me" in unison during the chorus's "Follow Me" part. This connection led to a memorable event on July 3, 2015, at Seibu Prince Dome, where Takahashi served as the catcher for a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Dream Ami, an E-girls member who was making her solo debut.

Takahashi married a former company employee on December 17, 2014, following a two-year long-distance relationship. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in September 2015, and their second child, a son, in January 2018. His elder sister is Saki Takahashi, a freelance announcer.

Demonstrating his commitment to his roots, Takahashi donated a mobile net to his alma mater, Kato Gakuen High School, after turning professional. This contribution aimed to help improve the baseball environment for future generations of players at the school.

6. Post-retirement Career

Following his retirement from professional baseball, Tomomi Takahashi transitioned into new roles within the baseball world. He remains affiliated with the Saitama Seibu Lions organization, serving as a coach at their baseball academy. In this capacity, he dedicates his time to instructing young baseball players, sharing his experience and knowledge to help develop future talent. In parallel with his coaching duties, Takahashi also works as a baseball commentator for Fuji TV TWO, offering insights and analysis on games.

7. Career Statistics

Tomomi Takahashi's professional career statistics reflect his journey as a pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

7.1. Pitching Statistics

YearTeamGGSCGSHOSVWLHLDWPctBFIPHHRBBHBPSOBKWPRERERAWHIP
2013Seibu24000010101.0007718.21011112810773.381.13
2014Seibu6300002129.66725862.2472241803015142.011.13
2015Seibu6200002322.40026461.2493265552021202.921.22
2016Seibu700001011.000235.15030200111.691.50
2017Seibu30000010.000132.23120200226.751.88
2018Seibu10000000----20.0101001022--------
Total: 6 years16000006552.545637151.011576771677048462.741.21

7.2. Fielding Statistics

YearTeamGPOAEDPFPct
2013Seibu2412001.000
2014Seibu6319011.000
2015Seibu62311001.000
2016Seibu702001.000
2017Seibu30000----
2018Seibu10000----
Total160524011.000

7.3. Notable Records

During his professional career, Tomomi Takahashi achieved several notable milestones:

  • First appearance: August 15, 2013, against Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (16th game of the season) at Seibu Dome. Entered in the 6th inning with one out as the 4th pitcher in relief, pitching 0.2 innings pitched and allowing one run.
  • First strikeout: August 22, 2013, against Chiba Lotte Marines (16th game of the season) at QVC Marine Field. Struck out Toshiaki Imae swinging in the 7th inning.
  • First hold: August 31, 2013, against Orix Buffaloes (20th game of the season) at Seibu Dome. Entered in the 6th inning with two outs as the 2nd pitcher in relief, pitching 0.1 scoreless innings pitched.
  • First win: October 8, 2013, against Chiba Lotte Marines (24th game of the season) at Seibu Dome. Entered in the 6th inning with one out as the 3rd pitcher in relief, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings pitched.
  • First save: April 19, 2014, against Orix Buffaloes (5th game of the season) at Seibu Dome. Entered in the 9th inning as the 2nd pitcher in relief, completing the game with one scoreless inning.
  • All-Star Game appearances: 1 time (2015)

7.4. Uniform Numbers

Tomomi Takahashi wore the following uniform numbers during his professional career:

  • 43 (2013-2018)
  • 123 (2019-2020)

7.5. Entrance Music

Throughout his professional playing career from 2013 to 2020, Tomomi Takahashi used the song "Follow Me" by the Japanese girl group E-girls as his entrance music.