Kazuhiro Yamauchi

Kazuhiro Yamauchi (山内 一弘, Yamauchi Kazuhiro, May 1, 1932 – February 2, 2009) was a Japanese baseball player and manager. He played for the Mainichi Orions, the Hanshin Tigers and the Hiroshima Toyo Carp over the span of an 18 season-long career (1952–1970).

Kazuhiro Yamauchi
Yamauchi in 1956
Outfielder
Born: (1932-05-01)May 1, 1932 Ichinomiya, Aichi, Japan
Died: February 2, 2009(2009-02-02) (aged 76) Tokyo, Japan
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
1952, for the Mainichi Orions
Last appearance
1970, for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Career statistics
Batting average	.292
Home runs	396
RBI	1,286
Teams
As player Mainichi Orions/Mainichi Daimai Orions (1952 – 1963) Hanshin Tigers (1964 – 1967) Hiroshima Toyo Carp (1968 – 1970) As manager/coach Yomiuri Giants (1971 – 1974) Hanshin Tigers (1975 – 1977) Lotte Orions (1979 – 1981) Chunichi Dragons (1984 – 1986) Yomiuri Giants (1987 – 1989) Orix BlueWave (1991 – 1993) Hanshin Tigers (1995) Yakult Swallows (1996) Koos Group Whales (1998 – 1999)
Career highlights and awards
1960 Pacific League MVP
Member of the Japanese
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2002
Election Method	Competitors Award

Yamauchi was the first Japanese professional baseball player to hit 300 home runs, achieving that feat in 1963.[1] Some of his career stats include 7,702 at bats, 1,218 runs, 2,271 hits, 396 home runs, 1,286 runs batted in, 118 stolen bases, 1,061 walks, and a batting average of .292.[1]

After retiring as a player in 1970, he went on to become an NPB manager and coach for nearly 30 years.

He was a founding member of the Meikyukai ("The Golden Players Club") in 1978, and was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.[2]

Yamauchi died of liver failure in a Tokyo hospital on February 2, 2009. He was 76.[2]