Yutaka Enatsu

Yutaka Enatsu
Pitcher
Born: (1948-05-15) May 15, 1948 Nara Prefecture, Japan
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
Professional debut
NPB: 1967 for the Hanshin Tigers
Last professional appearance
July 12, 1984 for the Seibu Lions
NPB statistics
Win-Loss	206–158
ERA	2.49
Strikeouts	2987
Teams
Hanshin Tigers (1967–1975) Nankai Hawks (1976–1977) Hiroshima Toyo Carp (1978–1980) Nippon Ham Fighters (1981–1983) Seibu Lions (1984)
Career highlights and awards
1979 Central League MVP 1981 Pacific League MVP

Yutaka Enatsu (江夏 豊, Enatsu Yutaka, born May 15, 1948 in Nara Prefecture, reised in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture) is a former Japanese pitcher regarded as one of best Japanese pitchers of all-time. In 1968, he recorded 401 strikeouts, which is still the world record. He recorded 9 consecutive strikeouts in one of the 1971 All-Star games, and 15 consecutive strikeouts in three of the All-Star games between 1970 and 1971. His consecutive strikeouts were broken up by Katsuya Nomura. The two records are still unbroken. In 1985, he attempted to play in Major League Baseball, but generated little interest because at 36 years old, he was near the end of his career.

Enatsu is a major shadow-figure in Yoko Ogawa's novel The Housekeeper and the Professor (Hakase no ai shita sūshiki, 博士の愛した数式, 2003).

External links

• Nippon Professional Baseball career statistics from Japanesebaseball.com
• NPB History (Japanese)

Awards
Preceded by Tsutomu Wakamatsu	Central League MVP 1979	Succeeded by Koji Yamamoto
Preceded by Isamu Kida	Pacific League MVP 1981	Succeeded by Hiromitsu Ochiai