Osamu Shimano

Osamu Shimano

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 160 lb.

• High School Buso High School

• Born June 2, 1950 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
• Died May 8, 2010

Osamu Shimano was a pitcher and mascot.

Shimano was a first-round pick of the Yomiuri Giants in 1968. He made it to the Central League in 1971, allowing two runs in four innings and won his only game; he would never win again in the CL. The right-hander was 0-1 with a 2.81 ERA in nine games in 1973. He tossed one scoreless inning in 1974. He led the Eastern League in wins that year, starring in the minors. Getting a longer shot with Yomiuri in 1975, Osamu went 0-3 with a 6.19 ERA. In 24 games overall in his career, he was 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA. He retired in 1978.

From 1981 to 1998, Shimano was a mascot for the Hankyu Braves and Orix BlueWave, working 1,175 games. He died at age 59 of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Sources

• Japanbaseballdaily.com
• Yakyubaka.com