Tsunemi Tsuda

Tsunemi Tsuda (津田 恒実) was a Japanese baseball player of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League.

He was one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the "Stopper of Flame" (炎のストッパー) because from his pitching style with the fastball. His nickname was "Tsune-Gon"(ツネゴン).

He was born in Shūnan, Yamaguchi. He retired in 1991, and died of brain tumor in 1993, when he was 32 years old.

His memorial plate, found at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, is inscribed with the words "We will never forget about his fastball, smile, courage and bravery".

He led his team in two Japan Series and won one title (1984).

Career

 * 1st pitch: April 10, 1982.
 * 1st win: April 29, 1982.
 * Rookie of the Year Award winner: 1982
 * Comeback Player of the Year Award winner: 1986
 * Best Pitcher of Japan Series Award winner: 1986
 * Relief Man of the Year Award winner: 1989
 * Japan All-star game: 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989
 * 49 W, 90 S, 19 CG, 2 Shutout and 542 K.

Honours

 * The minor planet 79254 Tsuda was named in his memory on June 1, 2007.

Books

 * Just One More Pitch - The Fastball Life of Red-Hot Reliever Tsuda Tsunemi (ISBN 4-87728-743-4) - NHK Books (1994)
 * The Last Strike (two years and three months with Tsuda Tsunemi) (ISBN 4-87728-607-1) - Keibunsha (1995)

Documentary and Drama

 * Just One More Pitch: The Fastball Life of Red-Hot Reliever Tsuda Tsunemi - NHK (1994)
 * The Last Strike - Fuji Television (2000)