| Masaaki Koyama | |
|---|---|
 Koyama in 1959 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1934-07-28)July 28, 1934 Akashi, Hyōgo,Japan | |
| Died: April 18, 2025(2025-04-18) (aged 90) | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| debut | |
| 1953, for the Osaka Tigers | |
| Last appearance | |
| 1973, for the Taiyo Whales | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 320–232 |
| Earned run average | 2.45 |
| Strikeouts | 3,159 |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Member of the Japanese | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2001 |
Masaaki Koyama (小山 正明,Koyama Masaaki; July 28, 1934 – April 18, 2025) was a Japanese professional baseballpitcher inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for theOsaka / Hanshin Tigers from 1953 to 1963, theTokyo / Lotte Orions from 1964 to 1972, and theTaiyo Whales in 1973.[citation needed] He is a member of theJapanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
A right-handed pitcher, Koyama threw hard and was known for his effectiveslider and pinpoint control.[1] He ranks third all-time in the NPB in wins (320), strikeouts (3,159), innings pitched (4,899), and shutouts (74). He won 20 or more games 7 separate times, was selected to eleven All-Star teams, and won the 1962Eiji Sawamura Award.
Koyama attended Takasago High School, and entered NPB at age 18, drafted by theOsaka Tigers.[citation needed]
Koyama won 20 or more games three straight years from 1958 to 1960; in 1959 he led theCentral League in innings pitched, with 344. He had at least 200 strikeouts for 7 straight seasons from 1956 to 1962.
In 1961, Koyama suffered his first losing season, going 11–22, leading the Central League in losses despite a stellar 2.41earned run average.
In 1962, Koyama had 13 shutouts, including five in a row, on his way to a 27–11 record with a 1.66 ERA and theSawamura Award. He also led all of NPB in strikeouts, with 270. Unfortunately, he lost two games in that year'sJapan Series, as the Tigers fell to the championToei Flyers. (Koyama ended up on the losing end of threeJapan Series, never winning a championship.)
In 1964, Koyama switched teams (and leagues) and went 30-12 for theTokyo Orions, leading all of NPB in victories, with a 2.41. ERA. That year he had 25 complete games and led all of NPB in innings pitched, with361+1⁄3. He won at least 20 games three straight years from 1964 to 1966 (although in 1965 he also lost 20 games).
With 200+ wins, Koyama was a founding member ofMeikyukai in 1978. He was elected to theJapanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.[2]
On May 2, 1992,Tsutomu Seki discovered theminor planet 1992 JE, naming it "13553 Masaakikoyama" in honor of Koyama.
Koyama died on April 18, 2025, at the age of 90.[3]