| Kenshin Kawakami | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kawakami with the Atlanta Braves in 2009 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1975-06-22)June 22, 1975 (age 50) Tokushima, Tokushima,Japan | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| NPB: April 9, 1998, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
| MLB: April 11, 2009, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 9, 2010, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| NPB: June 13, 2014, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 117–76 |
| Earned run average | 3.24 |
| Strikeouts | 1,381 |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 8–22 |
| Earned run average | 4.32 |
| Strikeouts | 164 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Kenshin Kawakami (川上 憲伸) (born June 22, 1975) is a Japanese former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theChunichi Dragons and inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theAtlanta Braves.
He originally pitched for the Chunichi Dragons of theCentral League. Kawakami was theRookie of the Year in 1998 as he went 14–6 with a 2.57ERA. He helped the Dragons to the Central League Title in 1999, but would lose in the Japan Series in 5 games to theFukuoka Daiei Hawks. He has pitched ano-hitter in his professional career. In 2004, Kawakami went 17–7 and led Chunichi to the Central League Title, though they fell to theSeibu Lions in 7 games in the Japan Series. That year, Kawakami was named Central League MVP and received theEiji Sawamura Award as Japan's best pitcher. Kawakami again won 17 games in 2006 and led the Dragons to the Central League title again, winning Game 1 of the Japan Series against theHokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.
In 2007, Kawakami helped the Dragons end a streak of 53 years without a championship as they beat the Nippon Ham Fighters in 5 games.
On January 13,2009, Kawakami signed a three-year deal with theAtlanta Braves.[1][2]
Kenshin Kawakami threw his first game as an Atlanta Brave on February 26 in a Spring training game against the Pirates. Kawakami pitched two innings allowing one hit and striking out one batter.
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Kawakami pitched his first Major League game on April 11, 2009 against theWashington Nationals. He picked up his first Major League win, giving up 3 earned runs, and striking out 8 in 6 innings.[3] On May 22 and against countrymanDaisuke Matsuzaka atFenway Park, he limited theBoston Red Sox to two hits and two earned runs in six innings and helped the Braves begin a 13-game stretch with an 8–2 win over the Red Sox.[4]
Kawakami went 1–10 in 2010 and recorded nine straight losses before picking up his firstwin on June 26 against theDetroit Tigers atTurner Field.[5] He pitched seven innings with sixstrikeouts in a 4–3 win for theBraves. After being sent to the bullpen, Kawakami only pitched once in 40 games, where he performed poorly, allowing 2 runs in one inning. On November 12, following the season, the Braves outrighted Kawakami to their Double-A affiliate, theMississippi Braves.[6]
During the 2010 season, a group of fans would dress as "Kenshin's Geishas" to support Kawakami during homestands.[7]
After spending the entirety of the 2011 season pitching at the AA level for theMississippi Braves, Kawakami agreed to a contract with his previous team, theChunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League.[8]
Kawakami struggled with injury upon his return to the Dragons, making only a combined 12 starts during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He went 3–1 with a 2.83 in seven starts during 2012 and 1–1 with a 3.21 ERA in five starts during 2013.[9] Due to shoulder pain, he did not make his first start in 2013 until 22 August.[10]
On 22 November 2013, the Chunichi Dragons announced that they had signed Kawakami to a 1-year extension.[11] However he only managed six starts in 2014 and was not resigned for the 2015 season, he announced his retirement in October 2015.[12]
Kawakami throws a fastball around 90 mph (tops out at 94), shuuto (sinker), slowcurveball, splitter, and a good cutter.[13]
In response to the2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Kawakami donated $50,000 to relief efforts.[14]
· Baseball Almanac| Awards | ||
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| Preceded by | Central League Best Nine Award for Pitcher 2004 2006 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |