In memory of Yoshio Yoshida, the former manager of the Hanshin Tigers, who passed away on February 3rd at the age of 91, a special program titled "Tigers Ban Memorial Special Program: Thank You Yoshida Yoshio" (ABC TV, Kansai local) will be broadcast from 3:00 p.m. on February 15th.
Yoshida graduated from Ritsumeikan University in 1953 and joined the Hanshin Tigers (then known as the Osaka Tigers). Although he was small for a professional baseball player, he was a fast runner, a skilled hitter, and showed brilliant defense as a shortstop, earning him the nickname "Modern Ushiwakamaru" and love from fans. After retiring, he served as manager of the Hanshin Tigers three times, the most in the franchise, and led the team to its first Japan Series championship in 1985.
ABC TV will look back on the achievements of "Tiger Legend" Yoshida and his passion for Hanshin through treasured footage. Akinobu Okada and Akinobu Mayumi, who played for Hanshin and served as managers, and Katsuo Hirata, who is currently the manager of the second team, will appear as guests in the studio and talk about their memories of Yoshida. Sadaharu Oh, Masayuki Kakefu, and Randy Bass will also appear with messages.
"Toraban" is the official YouTube channel set up by ABC Television to support the Hanshin Tigers. The memorial program will be broadcast on television.
*...The correct spelling of Yoshida Yoshio's name's "Yoshi" is "Tsuchiyoshi".
