Shoichi Kunihisa

Shoichi Kunihisa (also listed as Matsuichi Kunihisa)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 6", Weight 147 lb.

• High School Kokoku Shogyo High School

• Born May 15, 1919 in Osaka Prefecture Japan
• Died 1945 in Burma

A speedy utility man who mostly played second, Shoichi Kunihisa played four years for the Nankai Hawks. He debuted in 1939, hitting .270/.332/.374 with 11 triples and 26 stolen bases. He slipped to .216/.316/.274 the next year, though he still swiped 31. In 1941, Kunihisa had a .214/.284/.254 batting line and only had six steals and a triple. In 1942, the 23-year-old batted .204/.277/.237 with 28 stolen bases, while only getting caught four times. Overall, his career batting line read .226/.302/.284 with 91 SB in 376 games. He then entered the Japanese military and died in combat during World War II.

Source: Japanbaseballdaily.com by Gary Garland