Many of you are probably aware of the fact that the Hanshin Tigers have a long history of scandal and notoriety. During the weeks before the upcoming season, we will look at ten of the most interesting ones. We continue here with the story of a man who rode into town with much fanfare but left with a dagger sticking out of his back.
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November 14, 1978. Superstar catcher Koichi Tabuchi is out on the town, minding his own business. It’s been a long season, the team finished in last place for the first time ever, and the offseason has begun with the hiring of a new manager, Don Blasingame.
Upon returning to his home after midnight, he gets a phone call telling him to report to the team at once. He heads out to
The media had already caught wind of the situation and were waiting outside the hotel to talk with Tabuchi immediately afterward. It’s 3:00 am. His world has been shaken, suddenly and violently, like an earthquake. His words?
“I was told to get my butt over to Seibu. Just like that. At this time of night. This is how Hanshin screws with its players, guys who have given everything to the team for 10 years. Pathetic. I love this team. I was ready to be buried in my Hanshin pinstripes when I moved to Osaka.”
He continued maliciously a little later with tears in his eyes: “Now that I know I can’t stay with this team, I’ve got to say it: This team will never be strong because of stuff like this. I hope I am the last player who gets sacrificed in this way.”
Tabuchi would go on to hit 154 homers in six seasons for the Lions, capture two Japan Series Championships (1982 and 1983), and retire in 1984. Ultimately he came back to the Tigers as hitting coach for the 2003 pennant-winning team, among other coaching and management positions with other clubs. Despite the mistreatment from the Tigers, he still does play-by-play for the team on occasion.