"Provided invaluable support since the dawn of Korean professional baseball": The Korea Baseball Hall of Fame also mourns the late Jang Hoon, saying "His legacy in the Korean and Japanese baseball communities will be remembered for a long time"

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korea Baseball Hall of Fame, an organization of former professional baseball players in Korea, mourned the passing of the late Jang Hoon (Japanese name: Harimoto Isao), a legend of Japanese professional baseball (NPB) who also shared deep ties with Korean baseball.

On the 10th, the Hall of Fame issued a memorial statement saying, "We express our deepest sorrow and condolences upon learning of the passing of the late Mr. Jang Hoon, a legend of Japanese professional baseball and a great baseball figure who represented an era."

It further recalled his achievements: "He played as a player for 23 years in Japanese professional baseball, setting a monumental record with 3,085 career hits, and was loved and respected by countless baseball fans over the years under the nickname 'Hit Machine.'"

Jang Hoon passed away at a hospital in Tokyo on the 9th. He was 86 years old.

Born in 1940 in Hiroshima, Japan, as a second-generation Korean resident, Jang Hoon experienced the atomic bombing during his childhood. Overcoming difficult circumstances, he nurtured his dream of becoming a baseball player and joined the Toei Flyers (now Nippon-Ham Fighters) in 1959. He later played for the Yomiuri Giants and Lotte Orions (now Chiba Lotte Marines), continuing his active career for 23 seasons until 1981.

His records were synonymous with Japanese baseball history. In 2,752 career games, he posted a .319 batting average, 3,085 hits, 504 home runs, and 1,676 RBIs. His 3,085 hits remain the all-time NPB record and the only 3,000-hit milestone achieved in league history. He is also the only player to simultaneously reach 500 home runs and 300 stolen bases.

He won the batting title a record seven times (tied for most in history), led the league in hits three times, topped the on-base percentage nine times, and was selected to the Best Nine team 16 times. In 1962, he secured the Pacific League MVP award and helped Toei win its first Japan Series championship. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

The Hall of Fame particularly emphasized Jang Hoon's connection to Korean baseball. It stated, "Mr. Jang Hoon did not limit his contributions to his great achievements in Japanese baseball; from the early days and formative period of Korean professional baseball, he showed deep interest and affection for our sport." It added, "As Korean professional baseball took root and grew, he encouraged younger players and provided invaluable advice and support for their development."

In fact, while active in Japan, Jang Hoon maintained his Korean nationality for many years and consistently engaged with Korean baseball. Although he later naturalized as a Japanese citizen in his later years, he long preserved the roots and identity of being a second-generation Korean resident.

Even after retirement, his ties to baseball never faded. He worked as a commentator and critic, exerting influence on Japanese baseball with his characteristic direct style. As a founding member of the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame, he participated in baseball clinics and various events, dedicating himself to nurturing the next generation of players.

The Hall of Fame concluded: "The late Mr. Jang Hoon's passionate dedication to baseball throughout his life, his deep affection for younger players, and his monumental legacy left on both Korean and Japanese baseball communities will be remembered in the hearts of baseball people for a long time. We offer our deepest respect and gratitude for his great baseball career and meaningful achievements. We also extend heartfelt condolences to his family."

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*This content was translated by AI.