Isao Harimoto, a revered figure in Japanese baseball and a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, died Wednesday in Tokyo at the age of 86.
Born Jang Hun in Hiroshima in 1940 to Korean parents, Harimoto overcame significant childhood adversity. An accident in 1944 resulted in severe burns to his right hand, leaving him with limited mobility in his thumb and forefinger and permanently curled middle fingers. The following year, on August 6, 1945, he survived the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, shielded from the blast by his mother. Tragically, one of his sisters did not survive the attack.
Harimoto adapted to his injuries by learning to play baseball left-handed and used a custom glove for his damaged right hand. He went on to have a distinguished 23-year professional career playing for the Toei Flyers, Yomiuri Giants, and Lotte Orions. He was instrumental in the Flyers' first Japan Series victory in 1962.
Known as the 'Hit Machine,' Harimoto amassed 3,085 hits, the most in Japanese baseball history, and remains the only player in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to surpass 3,000 hits. He is also the only NPB player with over 500 home runs (504) and more than 300 stolen bases (319), a feat achieved by only a few Major League Baseball players, including Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, and Alex Rodriguez.
An 18-time All-Star, Harimoto was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. The Golden Players Club, a prominent Japanese baseball organization, issued a statement expressing deep respect and gratitude for his accomplishments and offering condolences for his passing.