Manabu Kitabeppu

Who is Manabu Kitabeppu?

Manabu Kitabeppu, is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, the first-round draft pick of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 1975 and one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the "Precision Machine" because from his perfect control pitching, and his nickname was Pei-San.

He struggled his first few seasons, then went 17-11 with a 3.58 ERA to make his first All-Star team in 1979. It was the first of five consecutive All-Star picks for Kitabeppu, who helped the team to a Japan Series title in 1980.

In 1982 Kitabeppu went 20-8 with a 2.43 ERA, easily his best year to that point. He led the Central League with 267.3 innings, won the most games on the mound and was fourth in ERA. He won his first Eiji Sawamura Award that season and also was named to the Best Nine.

His streak of All-Star selections ended in 1984, though he continued to pitch well in '84 and '85. In 1986 Kitabeppu had his best season, going 18-4 with a 2.43 ERA. He led the circuit once again in victories, won his only ERA crown, led in complete games and shutouts, won his only Gold Glove and in addition to the Best Nine and Sawamura, won his only MVP award as the Carp returned to the Japan Series, but failed to win.