Yoshinobu Takahashi

1.1. Childhood and School Days

Born in Chuo-ku, Chiba, Takahashi developed a natural left-handed swing from the age of three. He joined a local youth baseball team in elementary school at age nine, where his exceptional talent, including his movement and swing speed, earned him a spot as the only fourth-grader on a team of sixth-graders. In fifth grade, he played as the third-hitter and shortstop, contributing to his team's first prefectural championship. As a sixth-grader, he served as the fourth-hitter and ace pitcher, leading the team to a second consecutive championship.

Takahashi was particularly close to his father, who dedicated himself to his son's baseball development through rigorous personal training sessions, including daily swings with a bamboo stick twice his height, until Takahashi entered high school. Despite this intense training, his father intentionally kept baseball out of their non-practice life to prevent burnout, leading Takahashi to initially have little interest in becoming a professional player or having specific baseball idols. He later admitted that he continued playing primarily to bring joy to his father and brothers, viewing himself as a realistic and detached child who only began considering a professional career around his sophomore year of university. He also disliked being in the spotlight.

During his junior high school years in the Pony League, Takahashi served as the fourth-hitter and ace pitcher, leading his team to two consecutive national championships. Despite his success, he frequently expressed a desire to quit baseball, often being physically compelled to attend practices by his father and older brother, sometimes crying while heading to the field. In his third year of junior high, he appeared in 26 games, batting .559 with 17 home runs and 65 RBIs. Although he considered quitting baseball to focus on academics, his father's plea, "Please let me enjoy this for just three more years," persuaded him to aim for the Koshien Tournament. He chose Toin Gakuen High School in Kanagawa Prefecture, a prestigious institution, as a pathway to his dream of attending Keio University, which he saw as a place where he could balance academics and baseball.

Upon entering Toin Gakuen, Takahashi initially joined as a promising pitcher. However, coach Keizaburo Tsuchiya soon recommended he convert to right fielder to leverage his batting skills and strong arm. Though reluctant, Takahashi agreed after being promised a starting spot as the third-hitter. He secured this position as a freshman, showcasing his powerful arm and defensive prowess. In the 73rd National High School Baseball Championship, his team reached the third round but suffered a walk-off loss to Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School.

In his second year (1992), as the fourth-hitter and pitcher, he participated in the 74th National High School Baseball Championship. During a close play at home against Okinawa Shogaku, he suffered a left thigh muscle strain but pitched in relief from the eighth inning. The team again lost in extra innings, a walk-off defeat. Takahashi was unable to walk due to his leg pain and was carried off the mound by teammates. He was hospitalized for two weeks for his injury and lower back pain. Upon discharge, he was appointed team captain for the following year due to his strong rapport with teammates. Although he initially declined, feeling he wasn't the type to lead, he accepted after it was presented as a coach's directive. His senior, Soejima, noted that Takahashi led not by words, but by his natural practice attitude and demeanor, which drew people to him.

In his third year, following Coach Tsuchiya's strategy of placing strong hitters in the leadoff spot, Takahashi played as the leadoff hitter but did not reach Koshien. His combined batting average for his first two Koshien appearances was .400, and he hit 30 home runs in his high school career. Despite receiving scout offers from multiple professional teams, including the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, he remained committed to his goal of attending Keio University. He was admitted through a designated school recommendation to the Faculty of Law, Department of Political Science. Coach Tsuchiya advised him that a free and relaxed team environment would suit Takahashi, who possessed extraordinary talent but wasn't a "baseball fanatic."

1.2. University Career

Takahashi immediately became a regular player for the Keio University Baseball Club in his freshman year. He debuted as the fifth-hitter and third baseman in the opening game of the spring league, hitting a rookie record three home runs. In the 1996 spring league of the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League during his junior year, he achieved a batting average of .512 with five home runs, earning him the Triple Crown.

In 1997, his senior year, he was appointed team captain. Despite opponents often avoiding pitching to him, resulting in seven walks in two games and numerous intentional walks, he led his team to their first league championship in nine seasons during the spring league. In the autumn league, he hit a home run off Yuya Ando of Hosei University Baseball Club, breaking Koichi Tabuchi's Tokyo Big6 League home run record. He finished his collegiate career with remarkable statistics over 102 games (playing every inning for four years): a .325 batting average, 119 hits (then 4th all-time), 23 home runs (1st all-time), 62 RBIs (then 12th all-time), and 219 total bases (1st all-time).

In international collegiate competitions, Takahashi excelled as the cleanup hitter for the Japanese national team in the Japan-USA University Baseball Championship Series, hitting home runs in three consecutive games. He also played as the cleanup hitter for Japan in the IBAF Intercontinental Cup as a university student. In the final against Cuba, which had a 151-game international winning streak with Koji Uehara (Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences) as the starting pitcher, Takahashi hit a crucial three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, which proved to be the winning runs. He later added a two-run triple, contributing significantly to Japan's championship victory.

Upon graduating, Takahashi was a highly popular star in the Tokyo Big6 League, known for his appealing looks and all-around skills in hitting, running, and fielding. He once pitched in relief during a league game, throwing at 93 mph ^{(149 km/h)} and giving up no runs. His coach at Keio, Toshihiko Goto, noted that Takahashi was intensely focused on winning games but showed no personal ambition for records or awards.

Leading up to the 1997 NPB Draft, nine teams, excluding the Chunichi Dragons, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and Hiroshima Toyo Carp, fiercely competed to sign him. Fans of the Chiba Lotte Marines, based in Takahashi's hometown of Chiba, even launched a petition drive, collecting tens of thousands of signatures, to encourage him to reverse-nominate their team. However, Takahashi narrowed his choices to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Saitama Seibu Lions, and Yomiuri Giants. On November 4, he reverse-nominated the Giants as his first choice and joined the team. Media, including the Yomiuri Shimbun-affiliated Sports Hochi, had widely reported that he would reverse-nominate the Yakult Swallows, citing his desire for a "free and relaxed team like the Keio University baseball club." His press conference, where he showed no smiles and had bloodshot eyes, fueled speculation about the intense bidding war that led to his decision. In March 2012, the Asahi Shimbun reported that his signing bonus was 650.00 M JPY, significantly exceeding the standard maximum, which the Giants implicitly acknowledged.

2.1. Professional Entry and Rookie Season

Upon his entry into professional baseball, then-manager Shigeo Nagashima hailed Takahashi as the "Star of the 21st Century." He was also promoted as part of the "MKT trio" alongside sluggers Hideki Matsui and Kazuhiro Kiyohara. On April 3, 1998, Takahashi made his professional debut as the seventh-hitter and right fielder in the opening game against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Meiji Jingu Stadium, immediately recording his first professional hit. On April 7, he hit his first professional home run off Yasuyuki Yamauchi of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Tokyo Dome.

Takahashi quickly became a key part of the Giants' lineup with his distinctive high-leg kick batting stance. He settled into the fifth-hitter spot in the second half of the season. He was selected for the All-Star Game via fan vote, receiving a rookie-record 514,351 votes, and would go on to play in seven consecutive All-Star Games. He finished his rookie season with an impressive .300 batting average (8th in the league), 19 home runs (9th), and 75 RBIs (10th), with an OPS of .852 (8th). His .300 average in his rookie year (reaching regulation plate appearances) made him only the seventh player in NPB history and the first in the Central League since Shigeo Nagashima 40 years prior. He also set a rookie record by hitting two grand slams in a single season: one off Kenjiro Kawasaki on May 2 against the Yakult Swallows, and another off Tomohito Ito on July 2, also against the Swallows.

Despite his stellar performance, the Rookie of the Year award went to Kenshin Kawakami of the Chunichi Dragons, against whom Takahashi had only one hit (a home run) in 22 at-bats that season. However, Takahashi received an unprecedented special award from the Central League in recognition of his rookie season achievements. Defensively, he recorded a league-high 12 assists, becoming the first rookie outfielder in history to win the Golden Glove award, an honor he would receive for six consecutive years. Nagashima also gave him the nickname "Wolf" that year, though it did not widely stick.

2.2. Peak Performance and Major Achievements

Takahashi's prime years were marked by consistent offensive output and defensive excellence, despite recurring injuries.

In 1999, he refined his batting stance, drawing inspiration from Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants to improve his power. He started the season strong, hitting home runs in his first three games (the first since Koji Akiyama in 1993) and earning the Monthly MVP award in April with a .433 batting average, 8 home runs, and 29 RBIs. On May 5, in just his second professional year, he was named the 66th cleanup hitter for the Giants. He then engaged in a fierce home run race with teammate Hideki Matsui and Roberto Petagine of the Yakult Swallows. However, on September 14, while fielding against the Chunichi Dragons at Nagoya Dome, he suffered a severe collarbone fracture after colliding with the outfield fence. This injury forced him out of the remainder of the season and was a significant blow to the Giants, who were in a tight pennant race. Despite missing the end of the season, he finished with a .315 batting average (5th in the league), 34 home runs (6th), and 98 RBIs (4th), improving on most of his offensive numbers from the previous year. He also set a Giants record by hitting three grand slams in a single season. For his performance, he was selected to his first Best Nine team. In the offseason, he signed a contract worth 100.00 M JPY, reaching the 100.00 M JPY salary milestone faster than any player in NPB history.

In 2000, with the addition of Akinori Eto via free agency, Takahashi primarily batted fifth or sixth in the first half. He experienced his first professional slump due to the previous year's injury but recovered in the second half. On August 24, he returned to the third spot in the lineup against Hiroshima, hitting his 20th home run off Hiroki Kuroda and contributing to a walk-off win. He became a crucial part of the "MKT trio" (Matsui, Kiyohara, Takahashi) that led the Giants to the league championship and the Japan Series title. On September 5, he hit the Giants' 1000th walk-off home home run off Ken Takahashi of Hiroshima. He played in all games for the first time in his career but finished below a .300 batting average.

In 2001, Takahashi again struggled early in the season but continued to play in all games for the second consecutive year, often batting third or sixth alongside Eto. He hit his first All-Star Game home run on July 24 at Sapporo Dome, a leadoff shot in the first inning (the seventh player in history to do so). On August 1, he hit his 100th career home run off Kenshin Kawakami of the Chunichi Dragons. On September 18, he hit a go-ahead grand slam off Greg Hansell of the Hanshin Tigers. He finished the season with a .302 batting average. After the season, he was selected to the Japanese national team for the 34th IBAF World Cup in Taiwan, primarily playing as the cleanup hitter and right fielder. He contributed to Japan's victory over Cuba in the preliminary round with three hits. While Japan finished fourth, Takahashi was awarded the batting champion title and a Best Nine selection for the tournament.

In 2002, Takahashi aimed for a batting title and started the season strong, hitting two consecutive home runs against the Yokohama BayStars on May 4, raising his average to .402. On June 23, he hit the Giants' 7500th team home run off Ken Takahashi of Hiroshima at Sapporo Dome. However, he fell into a slump mid-season, and his average dropped. On August 3, while attempting a jumping catch near the outfield fence against Takahiro Arai of Hiroshima at the old Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, he severely bruised his left heel, forcing him out of action for about a month and a half. Upon his return on September 16 against Yokohama, he successfully made a similar jumping catch off a ball hit by Hitoshi Nakane. Despite missing 35 games and the new strike zone impacting his power numbers, he maintained a .306 batting average for the second consecutive year.

In 2003, Takahashi was appointed player chairman and converted to center field following Matsui's move to MLB. The "MKT trio" was rebranded as the "KT trio" (Kiyohara and Takahashi). He batted cleanup on opening day for the first time due to Kiyohara's absence. Despite a mid-season back injury, he maintained strong form, setting NPB records for 11 consecutive hits (tied) and 14 consecutive times on base (tied for second). He achieved a career-high .323 batting average. On June 1, he hit a walk-off two-run home run off then-undefeated Jeff Williams of the Hanshin Tigers, handing Williams his only loss of the season. On July 6, he hit his second walk-off home run of the season off Yuichi Hisamoto of the Chunichi Dragons. At the All-Star Game on July 15, he hit two home runs in two at-bats with three RBIs, earning his first All-Star MVP award. After the season, he participated in the 22nd Asia Baseball Championship, which served as a qualifier for the 2004 Athens Olympics, and was the batting champion of the tournament.

In 2004, Takahashi initially attempted to convert back to center field but yielded the position to new acquisition Tuffy Rhodes. He also significantly changed his batting form, inspired by Roberto Petagine, by holding his hands higher and the bat more upright. This led to an extreme slump at the beginning of the season, but he gradually recovered. He remained the cleanup hitter from opening day until the Athens Olympics. Despite playing with a worsening elbow injury from the Olympics, which affected his throwing and caused him to miss the Golden Glove award for the first time in his career, he hit 30 home runs for the first time in five years and maintained a .317 batting average for the fourth consecutive year. On September 29, he recorded his 1000th career hit off John Bale of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, achieving the milestone in 850 games, the eighth-fastest in NPB history, second only to Shigeo Nagashima's 849 games among Giants players. In the offseason, he underwent right elbow surgery. As the Giants' player chairman and vice-chairman of the Japanese Professional Baseball Players Association, he played a significant role in the signature campaign during the 2004 NPB realignment controversy.

2.3. Injuries and Resilience

Takahashi's career was frequently interrupted by injuries, often a direct consequence of his aggressive and fearless playing style, particularly his pursuit of fly balls to the outfield fence.

His first major injury occurred on September 14, 1999, when he fractured his collarbone after colliding with the outfield fence during a game against the Chunichi Dragons. In 2002, he suffered a left heel contusion while attempting a jumping catch at the old Hiroshima Municipal Stadium. The same stadium's fence proved to be a recurring hazard: in 2005, he sustained a right shoulder subscapularis muscle tear after climbing the fence during a game against Hiroshima, and later that season, he sprained his right ankle by hitting the same fence. After these repeated incidents, he reportedly sprinkled salt on the stadium's fence upon his return to play. His right ankle continued to bother him, leading to the formation of a bone spur, and he played through pain, resulting in his first season below regulation plate appearances. He underwent right ankle surgery in December 2005, leading to his first career salary reduction of 20.00 M JPY to 310.00 M JPY.

In 2006, despite his ankle surgery, he was re-converted to center field by manager Tatsunori Hara, who wanted him to lead the team defensively. However, on April 12, he injured his left side while diving for a catch, forcing him out for a month. On May 27, he re-injured his left shoulder attempting another diving catch. These repeated injuries prevented him from regaining his form, and he was moved to left field to reduce defensive burden. He played two consecutive seasons below regulation plate appearances, finishing 2006 with a .260 average and 15 home runs, his lowest performance to date.

His back pain resurfaced in 2008, leading to his removal from the active roster on May 3 and again on August 7. He missed the 2008 Japan Series and finished with a career-low .236 batting average, dropping his career average below .300 for the first time in 10 years. Despite considering surgery, he opted for rehabilitation. In 2009, his back pain persisted, leading to his first career start in the minor leagues. He only played in one game, one at-bat, before undergoing back surgery on September 15, ending his season. This surgery was a high-risk procedure, with no guarantee of full recovery and a potential for over a year of rehabilitation, or even life in a wheelchair if unsuccessful. Takahashi described this period as "desperate," unable to imagine playing baseball and feeling it was "already impossible."

In 2011, he suffered a left rib fracture after colliding with the outfield fence on April 26. Despite these setbacks, Takahashi consistently demonstrated resilience, returning to play and contributing to the team, often through clutch hitting.

2.4. Later Career and Retirement

Takahashi's later career saw him adapt to his physical challenges, eventually transitioning to a player-coach role before his unexpected retirement.

In 2010, after cautious rehabilitation from his back surgery, he returned to the first team for spring training. He started the season as the eighth-hitter and first baseman (a new position for him), and later played as the second-hitter, right fielder, and pinch hitter. Despite not reaching regulation plate appearances, he played in 116 games, and the Giants won every game in which he hit a home run. His on-base percentage of .364 and .325 batting average with runners in scoring position demonstrated his continued plate discipline and clutch hitting.

In 2011, he aimed to regain a regular starting spot and opened the season as the fifth-hitter and right fielder. However, on April 26, he was injured again, suffering a left rib fracture after colliding with the outfield fence. He achieved his 1500th career hit on July 10 and received the "Georgia Soul" award for a diving catch on August 7. On October 12, he hit his first walk-off home run in eight years as a pinch hitter. Despite these moments, he finished with a .246 average, 15 home runs, and 37 RBIs in 95 games, again missing regulation plate appearances. His OPS of .829, however, was comparable to league leaders. His salary was cut by 180.00 M JPY to 170.00 M JPY, the largest pay cut in Giants history at the time.

In 2012, he acknowledged his physical decline but started as the sixth-hitter and right fielder. He played the entire season without major injury, narrowly missing regulation plate appearances. While his average was .239 with 8 home runs, he showed exceptional clutch hitting with a .538 average, 2 home runs, and 21 RBIs with the bases loaded. He returned to the All-Star Game after five years. On August 17, he hit his 300th career home run, becoming the 37th player in NPB history to do so. He started all games in the Climax Series and played cleanup in Game 4 of the Japan Series after Shinnosuke Abe's injury.

In 2013, he served as acting captain during Abe's absence for the World Baseball Classic. He started as the sixth-hitter and left fielder but suffered a left calf strain on April 4, forcing him out for three months. He returned on June 29 and, despite limited play (68 games), recorded a .303 average, 10 home runs, and an OPS of .950, his best OPS+ of his career. In the Japan Series, he struggled with a .150 average but hit a crucial go-ahead RBI single off Masahiro Tanaka in Game 6.

In 2014, Takahashi primarily served as a pinch hitter, recording 17 RBIs in that role, one shy of the Giants' record. He started more games in the summer, occasionally batting cleanup. On August 18, his father, who had been instrumental in his baseball development, passed away. The day after the funeral, Takahashi played and hit a solo home run, looking up to the sky as he rounded the bases. However, on August 24, he dislocated his right middle finger during a swing, ending his season. On October 25, he was appointed player-coach for the 2015 season.

In 2015, Takahashi achieved his 3000th career total bases on June 11, becoming the 55th player in NPB history to do so. He played in 77 games, batting .278, and was an effective pinch hitter with a .395 average in that role. He had intended to continue playing, but following manager Tatsunori Hara's resignation after the Climax Series defeat, the Giants offered Takahashi the managerial position. On October 23, after meeting with then-Giants chairman Tsuneo Watanabe and owner Koji Shiraishi, Takahashi accepted the offer and announced his retirement as a player. He held a press conference on October 26 and was officially placed on the voluntary retirement list by NPB on November 5. Due to the sudden nature of his retirement and managerial appointment, the Giants held a joint retirement ceremony and managerial inauguration ceremony at the fan festival on November 23 at Tokyo Dome. He retained his uniform number 24. Takahashi became the first Giants manager born in the 1970s, the first reverse-nominated player to become manager, and the first Giants manager who had no experience playing at Korakuen Stadium. Despite his "genius hitter" reputation, his numerous injuries prevented him from reaching 2000 career hits.

4.1. Yomiuri Giants Manager (2016-2018)

Takahashi managed the Yomiuri Giants for three seasons, from 2016 to 2018. His managerial philosophy was encapsulated in his annual calligraphic themes: "Innovation" (一新, 一新_Isshin^Japanese) in 2016, "Evolution" (新化, 新化_Shinka^Japanese) in 2017, and "Strive for Brilliance" (奮輝, 奮輝_Funki^Japanese) in 2018.

In 2016, his first season, the Giants started strong with a four-game winning streak. However, a shortage of starting pitchers due to injuries led to a slump in May, dropping the team to fourth place. They recovered to finish second in the league. Despite losing records against Hiroshima, DeNA, and Chunichi, they secured a spot in the Climax Series. In the 2016 Central League Climax Series First Stage, the Giants lost to the third-place Yokohama DeNA BayStars (1-2), marking their first First Stage elimination in five years since 2011.

The 2017 season's theme, "Evolution," reflected the acquisition of free agents Shun Yamaguchi and Dai-Kang Yang. The Giants again started well with a five-game winning streak. However, they gradually declined from mid-May, suffering a club-record 13-game losing streak, surpassing the 11-game streak from 1975. This slump pushed them to a double-digit deficit. Despite an aggressive lineup change in late July, moving Casey McGehee to second base, and a strong August, the team faltered in September as veteran players like captain Hayato Sakamoto, Shinnosuke Abe, and Shuichi Murata experienced fatigue and batting slumps. On October 1, a loss to the Hanshin Tigers and a win by DeNA confirmed the Giants' fourth-place finish, their first time in the B-class (below third place) in 11 years, despite a slightly better winning percentage than the previous year.

In 2018, with the theme "Strive for Brilliance," the team saw the return of veteran pitcher Koji Uehara. However, new acquisitions failed to perform, and injuries plagued key players like Sakamoto, Scott Mathieson, and emerging second baseman Naoki Yoshikawa. The Giants struggled to contend for the championship, falling into a losing record from August. They battled the DeNA BayStars for third place in September, ultimately securing it on the final day of the regular season by defeating the Hanshin Tigers. Despite his success in developing young talent like Kazuma Okamoto and Yoshikawa, Takahashi took responsibility for not winning the championship and announced his resignation as manager on October 3. He was the second Giants manager, after Tsunemi Horikoshi, to not win a championship. In the Climax Series First Stage, the Giants swept the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2-0), including a no-hitter by ace Tomoyuki Sugano. However, they were swept by the league champion Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Final Stage (0-4), scoring only one run in each of the three games via McGehee's RBIs. With his resignation, Takahashi concluded his 21-year association with the Giants' uniform, having worn number 24 since his rookie year in 1998.

6.1. Batting Prowess

Takahashi earned a reputation as a "genius hitter" due to his advanced batting technique and innate timing. He was known for his aggressive approach, often swinging at the first pitch, a tendency that was balanced by his unique high-leg kick batting form. This stance allowed him to maintain stability and adapt flexibly to various pitches, even hitting balls slightly outside the strike zone for hits. He also possessed excellent foul-hitting ability and the skill to hit to all fields, demonstrating strength against outside pitches.

In 2007, when primarily used as a leadoff hitter, he adjusted his style to prioritize getting on base in addition to hitting for power. This involved a 15% reduction in his first-pitch swing rate compared to the previous year, leading to an increase in walks. Despite his career being curtailed by injuries, his hitting talent remained highly regarded in his later years. In 2012, professional scouts reportedly described Shohei Ohtani, who later achieved success as a two-way player, as a "Yoshinobu Takahashi type, capable of aiming for the Triple Crown," indirectly acknowledging Takahashi's elite hitting ability.

Munetaka Murakami, a prominent slugger, expressed his admiration for Takahashi during an interview for Sports Hochi, stating, "When I was little, I watched Yoshinobu Takahashi a lot and copied his leg kick. I was so nervous talking to him because he was my idol." Murakami further described him as "a good hitter who could hit anything. I strongly associate him with leadoff home runs."

6.2. Defense and Baserunning

Takahashi primarily played as a right fielder throughout his career, known for his fearless and aggressive defense, often crashing into fences. He possessed a strong arm capable of throwing 394 ft ^{(120 m)} with accuracy, and his fluid motion from fielding to throwing was a notable characteristic. His exceptional right field defense earned him an NPB record of six consecutive Golden Glove awards from his rookie year.

In 2003, he temporarily converted to center field following Hideki Matsui's move to MLB, and again in 2006 at manager Hara's request. From 2010, to alleviate the physical burden of outfield play due to injuries, he also began playing first base. Despite having no prior infield experience in professional baseball, he demonstrated stable defense at first base, finishing second in the Golden Glove voting for first basemen that year. In 2012, he aimed to secure a regular spot in left field during spring training, and he increasingly started in left field in the latter half of the season.

However, his aggressive defensive style often came at a cost. He sustained major injuries, particularly from collisions with outfield fences, in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2011. In 2006, manager Hara reportedly prohibited him from making diving catches. Yet, Takahashi himself stated, "The moment I think I can catch it, I dive. My mind goes blank at that moment. I can't think about injuries." From 2014 onwards, he frequently played left field when starting, to reduce defensive strain.

In terms of baserunning, Takahashi possessed good speed early in his career, with a 50-meter dash time in the 6.0-second range and a first-to-first time in the 4.0-second range. However, he had few stolen bases, with his career high being five in 2000, indicating that stealing bases was not his strength.

7.1. Major Awards and Honors

• Best Nine: 2 times (1999, 2007)
• Golden Glove: 7 times (1998-2003, 2007)
• Central League Special Award: 1 time (Rookie Special Award: 1998)
• Monthly MVP: 5 times (April 1999, August 2000, August 2001, June 2003, June 2007)
• Central League President's Special Award (1998)
• All-Star Game MVP: 1 time (2003 Game 1)
• All-Star Game Excellent Player Award: 1 time (2004 Game 1)
• Tokyo Dome MVP: 1 time (1998)
• Excellent JCB・MEP Award: 1 time (2003)
• JA Zen-Noh Go・Go Award: 1 time (Good Baserunning Award: March/April 2007)
• "Georgia Soul" Award: 1 time (2011, 8th edition)
• Yanase Giants MVP Award: 2 times (2003, 2015)
• At Home Hero of the Year: 1 time (2014)
• Monthly At Home Hero Award: 1 time (July 2014)

7.2. Significant Career Milestones

• First Records**

• Milestone Records**

• Other Records**

7.3. Career Batting Statistics

7.4. Career Fielding Statistics

7.5. International Competition Statistics

• 2003 Asia Baseball Championship (Olympic Qualifier)**

• 2004 Athens Olympics**

7.6. Managerial Statistics

• Postseason Managerial Record**