Masaaki Kitaru

Masaaki Kitaru
Pitcher
Born: (1943-06-13) June 13, 1943 Chōshi, Chiba, Japan
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
June 26th, 1966, for the Tokyo Orions
Last appearance
August 14th, 1976, for the Lotte Orions
Teams
As player Tokyo Orions/Lotte Orions (1966–1976) As manager Lotte Orions (1983–1990) Yomiuri Giants (2007)

Masaaki Kitaru (木樽 正明, Kitaru Masaaki) is a former Japanese professional baseball player.

Career

He was born in Chōshi, Chiba, Japan, and graduated from Choshi Commercial High School in 1965. He started his professional career with the Lotte Orions in 1966. As a pitcher, he won 112 games in his professional career. He retired in 1976. He received the Most Valuable Player in the Pacific League award in 1970. He topped the league in wins in 1969 and in ERA in 1971.