Kazuhiro Kuroda
Kazuhiro Kuroda | |
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Center fielder | |
Born: Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan | September 13, 1924|
Died: August 17, 2007 | (aged 82)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
Teams | |
Kazuhiro Kuroda (黒田 一博, September 13, 1924 – August 17, 2007) was a Japanese professional baseball centerfielder in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Career
Kuroda attended Sasebo Shogyo High School.
Kuroda was a center fielder for eight years in NPB. He debuted with the 1949 Nankai Hawks, hitting .324/.360/.408 in 51 games, mostly as a bench player. In 1950, Kuroda hit .257/.282/.405 in his first year as a regular, then he batted .259/.279/.382 the next season. In 1952, Kazuhiro had a .241/.263/.324 year and he finished his Nankai run at .246/.287/.322 in 1953. Kuroda was taken in the expansion draft by the new Takahashi Unions and hit .246/.290/.334 their first year. In 1955, he slipped to .237/.269/.307, then he finished his career by going just 7 for 62 for the 1956 Daiei Stars. Overall, his batting line read .246/.279/.340.
Retirement
After retiring, he opened a sports store and was active in Little League. He died of lung cancer at age 82.
Personal life
Kuroda's wife, Yasuko,[1] competed in the 1964 Olympics in the shot put. His son, Hiroki, pitched in NPB and Major League Baseball.[2]
References
- ^ Hernandez, Dylan. "THE RISING SON," Los Angeles Times (OCT. 18, 2009).
- ^ LaRue, Larry. "M’s deal Broussard, keep Ramirez," The News Tribune (December 12, 2007).
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Kazuhiro Kuroda at B-R Bullpen