Kōichi Tabuchi

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Kōichi Tabuchi (田淵 幸一, Tabuchi Kōichi^?, born September 24, 1946) is a former Japanese baseball player, manager, and commentator.

The Hanshin Tigers named Tabuchi as their first draft choice in 1969 and he joined the team that year. In 1979 he moved to the Seibu Lions, and the team won the Japan Series that year and the next. After his 1984 retirement, he managed the Daiei Hawks and coached the Tigers. From 1985 to 1989, again from 1993 to 2001, and again beginning in 2004 he has been a commentator for Tokyo Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS). Tabuchi is the head batting coach of the Japan national baseball team.

Tabuchi's reputation is as a slugger. Although his career total of 474 home runs is far below Sadaharu Oh's 868, his frequency nearly matched Oh's. Tabuchi hit a home run once every 12.41 at-bats, while Oh did once every 10.66. In this statistic he is second only to Oh among sluggers who have logged 300 or more home runs.

[edit] Data

• Bats: Right
• Hits: Right
• Position: Catcher, first base
• Jersey number:
  • 22 (1969–1984)
  • 81 (1990–1992)
  • 88 (2002–2003)

[edit] Awards and honors

• Rookie of the year, Central League, 1969
• Home-run king, Central League, 1975
• Matsutaro Shoriki Award, 1983