Lee Seung-yeop, the current hitting coach for the Yomiuri Giants and a legendary figure in Korean baseball, has expressed profound sorrow following the passing of Chang Hoon, renowned for his record-shattering 3,085 hits in Japanese professional baseball. Sports Hochi reported on the 10th that Lee Seung-yeop met with reporters at the Giants’ training facility to pay tribute to the departed.
A Deeply Respected Predecessor
Lee Seung-yeop, often called the ‘Asian Howitzer’ for his own remarkable career, including 626 home runs in Korean and Japanese leagues, spoke of his shock and sadness. “I saw him on TV about a month ago and thought he was doing well because he looked healthy,” Lee said. “Hearing the news of his passing truly surprised me.”
For Lee Seung-yeop, Chang Hoon was always a special presence. As a second-generation Korean-Japanese, Chang Hoon overcame numerous challenges in Japanese professional baseball to build an unparalleled legacy, amassing 3,085 hits—a mark that remains untouched. Lee Seung-yeop, who also played in Japan and is considered a representative Korean slugger, held immense respect for Chang Hoon as a senior player who paved the way for Korean athletes in Japan.
“He was someone who overcame many difficulties in Japan, battled injuries, and still managed to hit over 3,000 hits,” Lee recalled. “As a fellow Korean, he was a senior player who truly excelled in Japan.” Lee emphasized his admiration, stating, “I always thought of him as a senior I deeply respected and played baseball with that mindset.”
Discovering a Legend in Youth
Lee Seung-yeop first learned of Chang Hoon’s existence during his middle school years. “I first learned about him when I read a book by senior Chang Hoon in middle school,” Lee reminisced. “He was a senior with the Yomiuri Giants, and throughout my baseball career, he was the only one to achieve 3,000 hits. I always considered him a senior I truly respected and played accordingly.”
Chang Hoon’s Illustrious Career and Legacy
Chang Hoon, born in Hiroshima, Japan, on June 19, 1940, graduated from Naniwa Commercial High School (now Osaka Kōryō High School) in 1959. He joined the Daiei Unions (now the Chiba Lotte Marines) that same year. In his rookie season, he won the Rookie of the Year award and, in 1961, captured his first batting title. He went on to win the batting title seven times, establishing himself as a premier hitter in Japanese professional baseball.
His achievements extended beyond hitting prowess. In 1962, he led the Daiei Unions to a league championship and was named the Regular Season MVP. After transferring to the Yomiuri Giants in 1976, he formed the formidable ‘OH Cannon’ lineup with Shigeo Nagashima and Sadaharu Oh under manager Shigeo Nagashima, contributing to the Giants’ Central League pennant.
In 1980, Chang Hoon moved to the Lotte Orions, where he achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first player in Japanese professional baseball history to reach 3,000 career hits. He retired after that season. His final career statistics are remarkable: 2,752 games played, a.319 batting average, 3,085 hits, 504 home runs, 1,676 RBIs, and 319 stolen bases.
The 3,085 hits record remains the highest in Japanese professional baseball history, and Chang Hoon stands as the only player in NPB history to surpass 3,000 hits. The Yomiuri Giants, the team Chang Hoon played for in his later career, also held a memorial service to honor him.
A Moment of Remembrance
According to Sports Hochi, a moment of silence was held at Tokyo Dome before a game between the Yomiuri Giants and the Chunichi Dragons on the day of the report, commemorating Chang Hoon. Players from both teams and fans gathered at the stadium offered their condolences and paid their respects to the departed legend.
As a player who left an indelible mark on Japanese professional baseball history, Chang Hoon’s passing is deeply felt. Lee Seung-yeop, now coaching the next generation with the Yomiuri Giants, concluded his tribute by reiterating his deep respect: “He was truly a senior I respected.”
