Matsutarō Shōriki

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matsutarō Shōriki (正力 松太郎, Shōriki Matsutarō^?, April 11, 1885–October 9, 1969) was the the father of Japanese professional baseball. Born in Daimon, Toyama, he was a media mogul, owned the Yomiuri Shimbun, one of Japan's major daily newspapers, and founded Japan's first commercial television station, Nippon Television Network Corporation. He also was elected to the House of Representatives, appointed to the House of Peers and was one of the most successful judo masters ever, reaching the extremely rare rank of 10th Dan.

Shōriki organized an All-Star team in 1934 that matched up against an American All-Star team. While prior Japanese all-star contingents had disbanded, Shōriki went pro with this group, which eventually became known as the Yomiuri Giants. Shōriki had faced an assassination attempt from right-wing nationalists for allowing Americans to play in Jingu Stadium. Shōriki received a 16-inch-long scar from a broadsword during the assassination attempt.

Shōriki became Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) first commissioner in 1949. In 1950, Shōriki oversaw the realignment of the Japanese Baseball League into its present two-league structure and the establishment of the Japan Series. One goal Shōriki did not accomplish was a true world series. In 1959, he was the first inductee into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. He died October 9, 1969 in Atami, Shizuoka.

The Matsutaro Shoriki Award is given annually to the person who contributes the most to Japanese baseball.

[edit] Further reading

• Uhlan, Edward and Dana L. Thomas. Shoriki: Miracle Man of Japan. A Biography. New York: Exposition Press, 1957. E-book at the Internet Archive.