A legendary slugger in Japanese professional baseball, known for his powerful hitting and clutch performances, earning him numerous accolades and a revered status in the sport.
Tomoaki Kanemoto is a household name in Japanese baseball, renowned for his incredible record of 1,492 consecutive games played without missing an inning, and 13,686 consecutive innings played, ending on April 18, 2010. With a staggering 476 career home runs, he is the most accomplished lefthanded hitter who throws righthanded in Japanese professional baseball history.
Born on April 3, 1968, in Minamiku, Hiroshima, Kanemoto is a third-generation Korean who obtained Japanese citizenship in 2001. He began playing baseball in the fourth grade, but quit after a year due to struggles during team practices. After playing both baseball and softball for various teams while attending junior high, Kanemoto enrolled in Koryo High School, where he became the team's cleanup hitter in his second year.
Kanemoto earned a spot in the starting lineup in his first year at Tohoku Fukushi University. He hit 20 home runs during his high school career, paving the way for his future success in professional baseball.
Kanemoto spent 11 years with the Hiroshima Carp before moving to the Hanshin Tigers in 2003, where he spent another 10 years. He holds the record for most consecutive games played without missing an inning, ending on April 18, 2010, and most consecutive innings played, ending on April 17.
Kanemoto retired as a player at the end of the 2012 season and rejoined the Hanshin Tigers as their manager for the 2016 season, replacing Yutaka Wada.
Kanemoto's impressive career has earned him numerous awards and honors, including his induction into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Kanemoto's remarkable career has solidified his place as one of the greatest players in Japanese professional baseball history. His records and achievements continue to inspire future generations of baseball players in Japan and beyond.
Through his outstanding career and managerial tenure, Tomoaki Kanemoto has left an indelible mark on Japanese baseball, cementing his status as a true legend of the sport.
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