Former Olympic coach Katsuji Kawashima and writer Kazuo Sayama in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Katsuji Kawashima, who was the representative director of the Atlanta Olympics, where Japan won the silver medal, and Kazuo Sayama, a non-fiction writer, are newly added to the "Baseball Hall of Fame", which honors those who have made great achievements in the development of the baseball world. Was selected for.

This year, two new members have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with a "special award" that honors those who have contributed to the spread and development of Japanese baseball, including amateur baseball.

Mr. Kawashima won the Intercity Baseball Tournament three times as a manager of Yamaha, a Japanese musical instrument for adult baseball.

As a representative of Japan, he was a coach at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and a coach at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, both leading to the silver medal.

As a non-fiction writer, Mr. Sayama wrote many works on the history of Japanese and American baseball, and as an advisor to the Japan High School Baseball Federation, he was involved in the establishment of the "21st Century Frame" of the Spring Senbatsu Tournament. Contributed to the development of.

On the other hand, in the athlete awards for professional baseball players who have retired from active duty, no one has collected more than 75% of the votes required to enter the Hall of Fame, and this has not been elected since 1998, 23 years ago. did.

What is Katsuji Kawashima?

Katsuji Kawashima is 77 years old from Tochigi prefecture.

He joined Yamaha's predecessor, the Japanese Musical Instrument, from Chuo University, and was selected as an excellent player for the second consecutive year in the Intercity Baseball Tournament.

In 1972, he became the director of Japanese musical instruments, leading the team to the first victory in the Intercity Baseball Tournament that year, and also won the championships in 1987 and 1990.

As a coach, he has won three times, the most in history.

In addition, he served as a coach for Japan at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and won the silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with Nobuhiko Matsunaka, Kosuke Fukudome, and Tadahito Iguchi, who were before becoming professionals. ..

After that, he became the director of Toyota Motor Corporation in 2000 and the general manager in 2003, leading to three wins in the Japan Championships.

He also contributed to improving the competitiveness of amateur baseball and training leaders, such as holding a key position in the Japanese Baseball League, which controls adult baseball.

What is Kazuo Sayama?

Kazuo Sayama is 84 years old from Wakayama prefecture.

A non-fiction writer who has written many works on the history of baseball in Japan and the United States.

One of his masterpieces is "Who is the best pitcher in history", which describes pitcher Satchel Paige who played an active part in the professional baseball league "Negro League" centered on black in the United States in the first half of the 20th century, and understands the history of baseball. I have continued to send it easily.

In addition, he has been an advisor to the Japan High School Baseball Federation since 1999, and has contributed to the development of high school baseball by being involved in the establishment of the "21st Century Frame" for the Spring Senbatsu Tournament.

Mr. Kawashima "Thanks to the players, I am grateful."

The notification ceremony to announce the entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame was held online to prevent infection with the new coronavirus.

Katsuji Kawashima, who made a speech, said, "Through baseball, I gained various experiences and learned many lessons for life. At the Atlanta Olympics, I aimed to defeat Cuba, which was my goal until the end, and aim for a gold medal. I have a strong memory of fighting the fighting spirits of Japanese athletes who have continued to challenge. Thanks to those athletes, I am grateful that I am now. This is the Tokyo Olympics, and the athletes who aim to represent the team , I am forced to make strict preparations due to the Corona disaster, but I want you to overcome this difficulty and achieve the gold medal that is the long-cherished desire of the Japanese baseball world. "

Mr. Sayama "No way I am"

Kazuo Sayama said, "I've never been as surprised as this time in my life. When I was about to write a book in the middle of 40, I learned that there was a great black pitcher in the world outside the major leagues. I decided to look it up. After writing some, Takano Ren asked me to give my opinion, and although I wasn't confident or capable, I thought I would swing firmly when I entered the batter's box. There is also the question of whether the ball will hit the ball and fly to that point. The story of the Hall of Fame is the best of all, and I think I am. The rest of my life is weak, but because of the development of baseball. I want to do my best to promote sports around the world. "