In Memoriam 2025: Koichi Tabuchi Remembers Yoshio Yoshida – “Just You Wait, That Guy!”
Tombstone Epitaph 2025] This year, too, a national star, a famous actor, and a great presenter have departed. We bring you his words of regret along with his treasured photos.
Yoshio Yoshida
Passed away on February 3, age 91
In 2012, he appeared before fans at Koshien for an OB (Old Boys) game against the Giants. He was the legendary manager who led the Hanshin Tigers to the Japan Series championship in 1985.A Manager Who Floated in the Air
By Koichi Tabuchi (Baseball Commentator)
From 1975, when Mr. Yoshida first became manager of Hanshin, until 1977—a span of three years—I was under his care as a player. I remember him telling me, “Be aware that you are the center of this team.”
Although the public often imagined him as a kindly old gentleman, Mr. Yoshida was not a coach who was merely gentle. In 1976, when I fell into a slump, I was removed from the starting lineup for a game against the Chunichi Dragons at Nagoya Stadium without a single word. I was so angry that I didn’t swing at a single pitch—but luckily I reached base on a walk. At that time, I thought, “That bastard, just wait and see!” But looking back now, I realize he deliberately played the role of the disliked figure to ignite a fire in my heart. He was the kind of manager who knew how to use both the carrot and the stick.
During those three years, I hit four walk-off home runs, and Mr. Yoshida would always rush out of the dugout to meet me as I crossed home plate—given our considerable height difference, in the excitement of embracing, he would practically float in the air (laughs). I truly felt, “Ah, I’m glad this is my manager.”
From “FRIDAY”, December 19–26, 2025 Combined Issue
PHOTO： Kyodo News