Kōichi Tabuchi

Who is Kōichi Tabuchi?

Kōichi Tabuchi is a Japanese former professional baseball player, manager, and commentator.

Tabuchi played for the Hanshin Tigers as catcher between 1969 and 1978, where his combination with pitcher Yutaka Enatsu was called the "Golden Battery". In 1975, he was crowned home run king of the Central League with 43 homers, putting a brief halt on Sadaharu Oh's winning another title after his thirteen-year consecutive since 1962. After 1978 season he was traded to the Seibu Lions and continued to play until 1984. All the time a long range hitter, Tabuchi was nicknamed home run artist because of the high-in-the-sky, long trajectory of his home runs. He is also called Mr. Tigers, along with Fumio Fujimura, Minoru Murayama and Masayuki Kakefu.

Tabuchi currently serves the chairman of Hanshin Tigers Old Boys' Committee since November 2009.