Date of Birth: November 1, 1988
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Biography
Masahiro Tanaka is a renowned Japanese professional baseball pitcher who has made significant contributions both in Japan and Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. He was born in Itami, Hyogo, Japan, and began his professional career with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Tanaka gained national attention for his impressive performances in high school baseball tournaments, which paved the way for his professional career. Tanaka made his NPB debut in 2007 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s top pitchers. In 2013, he helped lead the Golden Eagles to their first Japan Series title and was awarded the Eiji Sawamura Award, given to the best pitcher in NPB. His remarkable 24-0 record with a 1.27 ERA in the 2013 season is still celebrated by baseball fans worldwide. In 2014, Tanaka signed a seven-year contract with the New York Yankees worth $155 million, making him one of the highest-paid pitchers at the time. During his tenure with the Yankees, Tanaka was known for his strong postseason performances and his ability to deliver under pressure. After fulfilling his contract with the Yankees, Tanaka returned to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2021, where he continues to play.
5 Interesting Facts about Masahiro Tanaka
1. Masahiro Tanaka was the youngest player in Japanese baseball history to start on Opening Day at the age of 18.
2. He won the Pacific League MVP award in 2013.
3. Tanaka pitched a complete game shutout in Game 6 of the 2013 Japan Series to force a Game 7, which the Eagles eventually won.
4. He was selected to the MLB All-Star Game in 2014 and 2019.
5. Tanaka is known for his signature splitter, one of the most effective pitches in his arsenal.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Masahiro Tanaka
1. “I don’t think pressure is something that is negative.”
2. “I just want to give my best every time I pitch.”
3. “The most important thing is to be confident in yourself.”
4. “My goal is to help my team win in any way I can.”
5. “It’s an honor to play in front of such passionate fans.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Masahiro Tanaka is estimated to be $60 million.
Children
Masahiro Tanaka and his wife, Mai Satoda, have one child, a son named Shintaro Tanaka, born in February 2016.
Relevant Links
1. [Masahiro Tanaka’s MLB Stats](https://www.mlb.com/player/masahiro-tanaka-547888
2. [Masahiro Tanaka’s NPB Stats](https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/21425114.html
3. [Masahiro Tanaka’s Career Highlights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QG8cP_m2eU
