Sports · Baseball · 3 hrs ago
Former Hiroshima Carp pitcher Kojiro Iketani dies at 74
Former Hiroshima Carp pitcher Kojiro Iketani has died at 74 from multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
He was known for a distinctive pitching motion nicknamed the “seesaw delivery.”
Iketani helped Hiroshima win its first league title in 1975, his second season with the team, with 18 wins.
He won 20 games and the Sawamura Award in 1976, Japan’s top prize for a pitcher, and also led the league with 207 strikeouts.
He finished his playing career with 103 wins for Hiroshima and retired in 1985.
After retiring, he coached pitchers for Hiroshima and the Yomiuri Giants, then worked as a baseball commentator for a local broadcaster from 2005.
His death was announced on October 29; no further arrangements were given.
Former Hiroshima Carp pitcher Kojiro Iketani died on October 29 at age 74.
He died of multiple myeloma, according to the reports.
Iketani won 103 games for Hiroshima and received the Sawamura Award in 1976.
He won 20 games in 1976 and led the league with 207 strikeouts.
After retiring in 1985, he served as a pitching coach for Hiroshima and the Yomiuri Giants.
- Who
- Kojiro Iketani, a former Hiroshima Carp pitcher.
- What
- He died at age 74. The reports say he had multiple myeloma.
- When
- October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The reports say he died of multiple myeloma.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hiroshima selected Iketani with the first pick in the draft.
Iketani joined Hiroshima.
He won 18 games and helped Hiroshima secure its first league title.
He won 20 games, claimed the league wins title and received the Sawamura Award.
He retired as a player.
Iketani died at age 74.
- Career wins for Hiroshima
- 103
- Age at death
- 74
- Cause of death
- Multiple myeloma
- 1976 wins
- 20
- 1976 strikeouts
- 207
- Retirement
- 1985