Report: Nishitetsu Lion Teruyuki Takakura passes away at 83

Teruyuki Takakura passed away in a Fukuoka hospital on Monday, February 12. He was 83 years old.

In the early days of professional baseball, Takakura played almost immediately with the Nishitetsu Lions as an 18-year old with 18 games at the ichi-gun level. In the 1950s, he was part of a "streamline" lineup which featured five top hitters with Takakura leading the way as the centerfielder. The others following him include SS Yasumitsu Toyoda (1935-2016), 3B Futoshi Nakanishi, RF Hiroshi Oshita (1922-1979) and LF Seiji Sekiguchi (1925-2007).

Nakanishi, the only living member from the "streamline" lineup had the following statement upon learning about his death:

"He was a strong hitter especially against the right pitchers. A great leadoff hitter, reminding me of my time as a player. Being the only player remaining, I will remember him."

Born in Kumamoto prefecture, Takakura was named into the Best IX in 1959, 1964 and 1966. The Nishitetsu Lions won three consecutive championships from 1956-1958 with Takakura as the leadoff hitter. Early on in his career, he had plenty of stolen bases with 33 in 1955 and 35 in 1956.

Takakura moved to the Yomiuri Giants in 1967 and finished his playing career with the Sankei Atoms in 1969, before they became Yakult Swallows in 1970.

As a player from the legendary 1950s Lions, you will be missed. R.I.P. Takakura. 

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