| Takehiko Bessho 別所 毅彦 | |
|---|---|
 Bessho in 1955 | |
| Pitcher / Manager | |
| Born: October 1, 1922 Kobe, Hyōgo | |
| Died: June 24, 1999 (aged 76) | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| JBL debut | |
| 1942, for the Nankai Hawks | |
| Last NPB appearance | |
| 1960, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
| JBL/NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss | 310–178 |
| Earned run average | 2.18 |
| Shutouts | 72 |
| Innings pitched | 4,350.2 |
| Strikeouts | 1,934 |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .254 |
| Hits | 500 |
| Home runs | 35 |
| Run batted in | 248 |
| Teams | |
As player
As coach
As manager
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Member of the Japanese | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 1979 |
| Election method | Selection Committee for Players |
Takehiko Bessho (別所 毅彦, Bessho Takehiko, October 1, 1922 – June 24, 1999), born Akira Bessho (別所 昭, Bessho Akira), was a Japanese baseball player whose professional career as a player lasted from 1942 until 1960.[1] Bessho first achieved fame as a pitcher in Japanese professional baseball; later, he served as a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) manager.
Bessho spent his first five seasons in the Japanese Baseball League (the predecessor of NPB) with the Nankai franchise (1942–43, 1946–48) and his final 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants (1949–1960).[2] He quickly established himself as a top pitcher and went on to earn two Sawamura Awards, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award, and six Best Nine Awards. In 1947, Bessho set the JPBL record for most complete games in a single season (47).[3] In addition, Bessho earned the NPB Most Valuable Player Award in 1952 and 1956.[1] Bessho retired after the 1960 season with 310 wins, a 2.18 earned run average, and 1,932 strikeouts. Up until 2019, he was also the only Hawk to ever throw a no-hitter.
After he retired from the sport as a player and a manager, Bessho became a sports broadcaster.[1] In recognition of his accomplishments, the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Bessho in 1979.[1]
- ^ a b c d "Takehiko Bessho Cards". robsjapanesecards.com. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ "Past Hawks Stars". baywell.ne.jp. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ "Cases for Cooperstown". baseballguru.com. Retrieved September 6, 2007.