Yano at Tigers

Yano started his playing career as a draft pick for Chunichi Dragons. After seven years playing second fiddle and with the Dragons re-employing Senichi Hoshino he was traded to Tigers in the winter of 1997. At that time Hoshino and Yano didn't really get on and Yano nursed an ambition to be a starting catcher. This he accomplished with Tigers taking over the catching duties the next season. His batting was unspectacular during that period and he can't said to have shone. In 2002 Hoshino moved to the Tigers and Yano later confessed he felt that his career was over. Certainly 2002 was a quiet year for him (66 games, 27 RBIs). However, it was with some relief that he accepted Hoshino's offer to become the starting catcher for the 2003 season. Working with Tabuchi Yano improved his batting driving in 79 RBIs and hitting .365 RISP. He picked up his first Golden Glove and was selected to the All Star team that year. He was firmly established as Tigers starting catcher and continued to be so during the Okada regime.
Yano's high rate of production continued in the following years. He was a useful No. 7 able to drive in runs regularly and showing a good sense of timing. In 2005 he received the Fighting Spirit MVP for the losing Japan Series team after going 5 from 12. His form continued into 2006 when he had another good year with 78 RBIs. His catching style can be characterised as intellectual rather than instinctual. He tried to think the batters out and his calling would aim to overwhelm the batters by carefully placed pitches and logical variation. He worked very well with Shimoyanagi in particular and they were good friends. Kyuji Fujikawa and Igawa also liked Yano's style. He didn't have the creativity that say Kanoh has and could also be rather rigid. In one noteable incident in an All Star game Shinjyo stole home and beating Yano who was at the plate. Yano could also lose his temper - in a game against the BayStars in 2007 he was ejected after pushing the plate umpire over. Ishii had fouled a pitch and the umpire had missed it. Ishii signaled the player home, the pitch being treated as wild. Yano was incensed but later received a only a minimal fine.
Yano's production started to decline in 2007 and 2008 but he was still able to contribute usefully to the team. He joined the Olympic team for 2008 but was third choice behind Abe and Satozaki. He batted eighth more often but was beginning to show his age. By the end of the season he was suffering pains in his right arm and would not start the 2009 season. This gave Kanoh his chance but what was also interesting was how Yano's calling had deteriorated when he returned. Andoh in particular performed better with Kanoh than Yano. Yano also used to be a very fast base runner. In 2004 he scored an inside the park home run in an exhibition game against the New York Yankees at Tokyo Dome. However, in 2009 he ambled round the bases in a lazy manner and certainly stopped runs being scored. That he had the still had the speed was obvious as he showed it once or twice late in the season. The signing of Johjima consigned Yano to second catcher for the 2010 season but once again injury intervened and he didn't start the season. Johjima also was not prepared to share the duties with Yano and with the continuing problems with his arm and the likelihood of not getting any catching time Yano decided to retire. He had been used as a pinch hitter and as a catcher once in 2010. His retirement game was held on September 30th but a farewell victory was messed up by Kyuji Fujikawa blowing the save and the championship. Still Yano will be missed - even though he was ready to retire he was a valuable and important contributor to the Tigers under Hoshino and Okada.