Satoshi Hirayama

Satoshi "Fibber" Hirayama (平山智 Hirayama Satoshi) (born 1931[1]) is a Japanese-American baseball player who played for the Hiroshima Carp in Japan's Central League.[2] Hirayama was an All-Star twice in Japan.[3][4]

During World War II, Hirayama was interned at the Poston War Relocation Center with his father and two brothers.[2]

Hirayama was a star athlete at Fresno State College, playing both baseball and football, and was voted "Nisei Player of the Year" in 1951.[2] From 1953 to 1955, Hirayama continued his baseball days as a soldier at Fort Ord. After being discharged, Hirayama signed with the Hiroshima Carp in the Japanese Baseball League. Hirayama and teammate Kenshi Zenimura were the first Japanese Americans to play in Japan.[5]

Hirayama won the 2009 Al Radka Award, and is currently the head of the Japanese Baseball Development Program in the Dominican Republic.[6]

The nickname "Fibber" came from his father's attempts to say "February", the month of his birth.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "National Archives: Satoshi Hirayama". Retrieved 2011-07-07.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Harris, Mark (1958-08-04). "An Outfielder for Hiroshima". In Rob Fleder. Sports Illustrated: Great Baseball Writing. New York: Sports Illustrated Books. pp. 71–80. ISBN 978-1-933821-81-8. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Stockton Ports to Honor Baseball Legend Fibber Hirayama". hokubei.com. 07 - 8 - 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ↑ Tateishi, John (March 6, 2009). "Honoring Fibber". Pacific Citizen. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  5. ↑ "NBRP: "Fibber" Hirayama". Retrieved 2011-07-07.
  6. ↑ "Hirayama To Be Honored With 2009 Al Radka Award". Our Sports Central. January 30, 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.