Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Takahiro Mahara

Former Hawks and Buffaloes pitcher Takahiro Mahara had announced his retirement back in early December but for some reason I didn't realize it until recently.

Mahara was taken by the then Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in the "free agent phase" of the fall 2003 draft out of Kyushu Kyoritsu University.  He debuted with the team as a starter in 2004 before taking over the closer role in 2005.  He remained the Hawks closer through the 2011 season, missing some time in 2008 due to shoulder injury.  His shoulder caused him to miss some time again in 2011 and then the entire 2012 season.  After the 2012 season, he was chosen by Orix as compensation for the Hawks signing Hayato Terahara as a free agent.  Injuries again plagued him in two of the three seasons he spent with the Buffaloes although he had a pretty good season in middle relief for them in 2014.

He led the Pacific League in saves with 38 in 2007.  He made the All Star team three times (2006-07 & 2010).  He played for the Japan National Team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.  He appeared in one Nippon Series (2011, his final appearances with the Hawks).

2004 BBM Rookie Edition #1

2004 BBM 1st Version #25

2006 BBM All Stars #A06

2009 Calbee #049

2009 Bowman Chrome #BCW47

2011 BBM Nippon Series #S02

2012 BBM Hawks #H04

2013 BBM The Trade Stories #87

2015 BBM Buffaloes #Bs10

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