[ODDS and EVENS] Hiroki Kuroda Made His Mark as a Durable, Consistent Pitcher

In a 20-year career as a professional baseball pitcher, Hiroki Kuroda won 10 or more games in 13 different seasons. It was a telling sign, indicative of his work ethic and talent.

When he retired following the 2016 Japan Series, Kuroda had 203 regular-season victories (124 with the Hiroshima Carp and another 79 with MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees). He was one of the most recognizable Japanese pitchers of his generation, year in and year out.

Kuroda, an Osaka native, is one of three men who'll be honored as new inductees into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024, it was announced on Thursday, January 18. The date for the ceremony will be announced at a later time, according to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. 

Kuroda will be recognized along with retired catcher Motonobu Tanishige (1989-2015), who appeared in an NPB record 3,021 games, and the late umpire Tomoichi Tanimura, who worked 3,000-plus NPB games through 1986, and passed away in July 2022 at age 94.

For Kuroda, his Hall of Fame selection is a fitting tribute, a crowning achievement. In addition to being a beloved former star in Hiroshima, Kuroda also became only the third player in franchise history to have his jersey number (15) retired, joining outfielder Koji Yamamoto (8) and third baseman Sachio Kinugasa (3), who retired years before he made his pro debut.

Hiroki Kuroda Grateful to Become a Hall of Famer

Reacting to the news of his selection as a Japanese Baseball Hall of Famer, Kuroda offered words of thanks to countless people who've supported him over the years.

"During my 20 years of active baseball, I faced more than 10,000 hitters during my career, in Japan and the United States, and had friendly competition with many great players, both friend and foe," Kuroda, a five-time NPB All-Star, said, according to NHK, on Thursday.

"I would like to express my gratitude to all those who were involved in my career."

Carp owner Hajime Matsuda also shared his thoughts on Kuroda's name being among the Hall of Fame's Class of 2024 inductees.

"Congratulations to Hiroki Kuroda," Matsuda said in a statement posted on the team website. "I think this is the result of the recognition of his many contributions to the Carp baseball team as well as to the baseball world in Japan and the United States.

"We feel very honored to have spent 20 years with Mr Kuroda, during which time he joined the team, came to the US, returned to Japan, and won a [Central League] championship."

Indeed, Kuroda was instrumental in helping the Carp capture their first CL pennant in 25 years. In 2016, he went 10-8 ― one of three starters on the team with 10 or more wins ― with a 3.09 ERA in 24 starts. At age 41, he was a veteran leader and vital mentor for the team's younger players. 

Some Highlights of Kuroda's Career

Before spending seven seasons in MLB with the Dodgers (2008-11) and the Yankees (2012-14), Kuroda had emerged as one of NPB's elite starting pitchers, especially toward the end of his first stint with the Hiroshima Carp (1997-2007).

Within the Carp organization, Kuroda was regarded as the team's pitching ace. 

Exhibit A: He was the Opening Day starter for five consecutive seasons (2003-07). Looking back on Kuroda's career, this was something he handled with a sense of duty. But it was also a tremendous honor at the same time.

From 2005-07, he had a combined record of 40-26, including a 13-6 mark with a Central League-best 1.85 ERA in 2006.

He earned 15 wins in 2005. It was the highest total in his 13 seasons in a Carp uniform, and Kuroda shared the CL lead in wins with Tsuyoshi Shimoyanagi of the Hanshin Tigers.

What's more, Kuroda recorded at least one shutout in each NPB season from 1999 until 2007, including a career-high three in 2001, the same year he had 13 complete games (another career-high figure) in 27 starts.

A Turning Point in Kuroda's Career

On the day he was selected for induction into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, Kuroda spoke about an influential figure in his baseball career. He explained how Carp legend Yamamoto, who took over as manager for the second time in 2001, helped him become a better pitcher. (Yamamoto also managed the club from 1989-93.)

For some context, Kuroda went 6-9, 1-4, 5-8 and 9-6 in his first four NPB seasons. And then, at age 26, with Yamamoto running the team, Kuroda reached double digits in wins for the first time in '01, going 12-8.

"In my first few years with Hiroshima, I was unable to produce results," Kuroda was quoted as saying by NHK. "But Koji Yamamoto taught me on the mound how to be a starting pitcher and an ace, and he was the driving force behind my active career."

Kuroda, who now serves as an adviser for the Carp, wrapped up his career with seven consecutive double-digit win seasons, including going 16-11 for the Yankees in 2012.

And when he retired with 203 career wins, he was only the second Japanese pitcher to collect 200 or more combined victories in NPB and MLB, following in the footsteps of Hideo Nomo, who retired in 2008 with 208 career wins, including 78 in Japan.

In retrospect, Yamamoto pointed out that Kuroda's intangibles were key components of his recipe for success.

"He was a quiet player, but he also had guts and determination in his character," Yamamoto recalled in Tokyo on Thursday, according to NHK.

Guts and determination helped propel Hiroki Kuroda into the Japanese Baseball of Fame.

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.