Akahoshi at Tigers

Norihiro Akahoshi announced his retirement from professional baseball yesterday (9.12.2009) as a result of injury. His season had been cut short as a result of a hernia but the injury was more serious than originally feared. Another knock in the wrong place and Akahoshi could be permanently paralysed from the neck down or possibly dead. Faced with that option who wouldn't retire.

Akahoshi, originally from Aichi joined Tigers as No. 4 pick for 2001. He made an immediate impact with his speed and agility in the field. However, it was for his stealing skills that he was rapidly to become prominent, stealing 39 in 128 games and winning the first of his five stolen base crowns. He also picked up a golden glove for his fielding and rookie of the year. Taking the centre field position he used his speed to great effect, chasing down flyballs other centre fielders would have not have had a hope of reaching. Apart from stolen bases Akahoshi was fast round the sacks and his explosive acceleration was a joy to watch. Never, a home run batter he was an excellent lead off and contributed a nice number of RBIs each year.

2002 was perhaps his quietest year when he played in only 78 games but was still able to take the stolen base crown. Already, a fan favourite he would find the fame and pressure difficult to deal with at times. However, his best period was yet to come as Tigers stormed to their first Central League pennant for 18 years in 2003. Akahoshi was at the fore driving in 31 runs, scoring 91 and stealing 61 bases. On 15th September 2003 he faced Hiroshima with runners on and scores tied in the bottom of the ninth at Koshien. As he walked out to bat Hoshino, the Tigers coach walked over and had a short word with him. Akahoshi later said that Hoshino told him to play his natural game and hit. Akahoshi did that driving in the winning run and giving Tigers the pennant. Akahoshi's stellar career continued with 64 steals in 2004 and 60 in 2005 when the Tigers won another pennant. He was the ideal leadoff batter, getting on base and making home and was recognised with Golden Gloves from 2003-2006.

Whilst Akahoshi had been allowed to steal freely in Hoshino's reign this started to be cut back in 2006. Okada wasn't so keen on using the steal and Akahoshi's run of stolen base crowns ended in 2005. He was still the superlative centre fielder and leadoff but was more often used for sacrifice hits. In 2007 he started to suffer injury problems and played only 121 games. By now the coaches control was more firmly established and Akahoshi also scored fewer runs as he was held up more often. Thankfully, this policy was loosened in 2008 and we saw more of the old Akahoshi. He hit nicely and scored 94 runs whilst stealing 41 bases. This was the season in which Tigers collapsed and failed to win a pennant that they should have. Coaches and pitching failed but not Akahoshi who performed superbly as ever.

2009 would be Akahoshi's final season. Once again he started well and was his usual self. If he wasn't as explosively fast as before he made up for it with guile and a sharp awareness of the situation. However, he struggled with injuries firstly a thigh injury and then the serious spinal injury. It culminated at Yokohama when Uchikawa hit a high flyball to left centre. Akahoshi, 100% commitment dived for it with very little chance of getting it but didn't get up. In fact he couldn't move his limbs at all and was temporarily paralysed. He had to be carried from the field and did not return for the rest of the season. At first he had hopes of returning but doctors and family advised him not to as the next such injury could cost him his life. A sad end to an illustrious career.
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Akahoshi was never a home run batter - in fact he only hit three during his entire career. He made his name stealing and would donate an equivalent number of wheelchairs to the number of steals he made in a season to local hospitals every year without fail. Before his advent stealing had fallen off in Japan and Akahoshi was to make it popular again. He was a firm favourite with the fans and they would hold up red stars when he was at the plate. This popularity sat a trifle uneasily with him. He commented how difficult he found it to go shopping in Osaka without being recognised. He also found fan abuse (a natural part of being a Tigers player) difficult to take, something Okada found difficult to deal with as well. Akahoshi was genuinely shocked when fans threw bottles onto the field after a bad performance and he shouted back at hecklers more than once. Akahoshi's nickname was 'Red Star' the English translation of his name which he wore on his uniform. Tigers will miss this superlative player and we fans wish him well for the future.