Yasumitsu Toyoda (豊田 泰光, Toyoda Yasumitsu, February 12, 1935 – August 14, 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball player and coach, who played as a shortstop. He played and coached for the Nishitetsu Lions and the Swallows franchise of Nippon Professional Baseball. In 1972, he coached the Kintetsu Buffaloes.

Yasumitsu Toyoda
Toyoda in the August 1956 issue of The Yakyukai
Shortstop
Born: (1935-02-12)February 12, 1935
Daigo, Ibaraki
Died: August 14, 2016(2016-08-14) (aged 81)
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
NPB debut
March 21, 1953, for the Nishitetsu Lions
Last appearance
1969, for the Sankei Atoms
NPB statistics
Batting average.277
Home runs263
Runs batted in888
Hits1,699
Teams
As player
As coach
Career highlights and awards
Member of the Japanese
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction2006
Election methodSpecial election

Playing career

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Toyoda was known as a good hitter, and especially renowned for his postseason performances. He led the Pacific League in batting average in 1956, spoiling a Triple Crown attempt by teammate Futoshi Nakanishi. He batted a career .362 in the Japan Series.[1] He died in Kawasaki at the age of 81 on August 14, 2016.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ McNeil, William F. (2000). Baseball's Other All-Stars. McFarland. p. 129. Yasumitsu Toyoda.
  2. ^ "Ex-Pro Baseball Player Yasumitsu Toyoda Dies at 81". jiji.com. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  3. ^ "Japanese baseball Hall of Famer Toyoda dies". japantimes.co.jp. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
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