Takehiko

Takehiko Bessho (別所毅彦 Bessho Takehiko, October 1, 1922 -June 24, 1999 ), born Akira Bessho (別所昭, Bessho Akira), was a Japanese sportsperson whose professional career as a player lasted from 1942 until 1960. Bessho first achieved fame as a pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball (NPB); later, he served as a NPB manager.

Bessho spent his first five seasons in NPB with the Nankai franchise (1942–43, 1946–48) and his final 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants (1949–1960). He quickly established himself as top pitcher and went on to earn two Sawamura Awards, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award, and six Best Nine Awards. In 1947, Bessho set the NPB record for most complete games in a single season (47). In addition, Bessho earned the NPB Most Valuable Player Award in 1952 and 1956. Bessho retired after the 1960 season with 310 wins, a 2.18 earned run average, and 1,932 strikeouts.

After he retired from the sport as a player and a manager, Bessho became a sports broadcaster. In recognition of his accomplishments, the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame elected Bessho in 1979.

Raised solely by his mother, Besho grew up in a in Kobe, Hyogo Japan and went by the name Akira Bessho. Bessho started his athletic career by playing nanshiki ball while he was in the fifth grade in an elementary school. By the time he started his high school career at Takikawa Junior Highschool, , Bessho had transitioned from nanshiki to baseball.

In 1940 and 1941, Bessho appeared in the Koshien Tournament. During the 1941 spring edition, he pitched all fourteen innings of a game despite his broken arm; unfortunately, he also lost the decision. After his graduation, Bessho took the entrance exam for Keio University but ultimately enrolled in vocational classes at Nihon University.

Source: Wikipedia