Sunday, June 25, 2017

RIP Masato Kawano

A very sad story out of Japan last week - former Carp and Hawks pitcher Masato Kawano passed away suddenly from ischemic heart disease.  He was just 39 years old.

Kawano was taken in the third round of the fall 1996 draft by the Carp.  His best year with Hiroshima was 2000, when he got into 45 games and 4-5 with a 4.52 ERA and 9 saves.  He also pitched for the Japanese Olympic baseball team in Sydney that season.  He was released by the Carp following the 2003 season and spent one season with the Hawks before retiring.  It looks like he spent the years since his retirement coaching youth baseball in his hometown of Saga.

1997 BBM #497

2001 Calbee #J-06

2001 Upper Deck #45

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