阪神タイガース吉田義男さんが逝去されました

Former professional baseball player Yoshio Yoshida, known as a Hanshin Tigers legend, passed away from a cerebral infarction at 5:16 a.m. on February 3 at a hospital in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

Yoshio Yoshida achieved so much in the baseball world, and even in recent years he remained active in many places around Nishinomiya. Here is just a small look at what he had been doing in Nishinomiya.

November 10, 2011

Do you remember the Nishinomiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry before it was rebuilt? He gave a lecture there at the Nishinomiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry hall.

Speaking about his managing during Hanshin’s 1985 championship season, he reportedly said, “People only talk about the three straight home runs by Bass, Kakefu, and Okada, but that game was a real struggle. We barely won 6-5.” It’s surprising to hear the game played out like that, isn’t it? This was written on Ventiler’s page

March 3, 2022

As an advisor to the Koshien History Museum, he gave remarks at the museum’s renewal event.

In his remarks, he expressed his hope that people would help energize the baseball he loved, saying, “I sincerely hope many people will visit the newly renovated Koshien History Museum, bring excitement to both Koshien Stadium and the museum, and help foster Japan’s baseball culture.”

April 6, 2023

He attended the Nishinomiya Taxpayers Association’s “New Sake Tasting Event,” held at Nishinomiya Shrine Hall. It seems this was the first time in four years that the event had been held, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He apparently took part in the “New Sake Tasting Event,” which has continued for more than 30 years, and tried a tasting of Hakushika sake. He also took part in the kagami-biraki ceremony, helping to enliven not only baseball but Nishinomiya’s sake culture as well. That makes us really happy. Source: Kobe Shimbun

July 25, 2023

He attended a “Celebration of His 90th Birthday” at Yakko Ryokan in Koshien.

A “Celebration of His 90th Birthday” was reportedly held ahead of his 90th birthday, where he made the humorous comment, “To live until 130, I’ll start practicing moderation once I get home today.” He also reportedly sent words of encouragement to Hanshin, who were leading the standings in 2023, saying, “I want them to do the obvious things properly and achieve ‘Are’ in the end.” Source: Sponichi

August 1, 2024

He also threw the ceremonial first pitch at the still-fresh-in-our-memories “Koshien Stadium 100th Anniversary Ceremony.”

(Provided by the Hanshin Tigers)

On the day he threw the ceremonial first pitch for the Koshien 100th Anniversary Game (Hanshin vs. Giants), he said, “Koshien, where I have been involved for 72 years as a player, manager, and commentator, truly was my life itself.”