Correspondent Han Nam-jik = Japanese pitcher Satoshi Iriki, who played for the first time in the KBO League after the introduction of the foreign player system in Korea Professional Baseball, passed away in a car accident.

On the 11th, the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese professional baseball team delivered their condolences to Iriki.

Nikkan Sports reported, “On the afternoon of the 10th, a traffic accident occurred in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture, and Iriki died. He is 56 years old.”

After graduating from high school, Iriki started playing professional baseball in Japan by joining the Kintetsu Buffaloes in 1990.

After playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Yomiuri Giants, and Yakult Swallows, Iriki signed a contract as a foreign player with the Doosan Bears in 2003.

He was the first Japanese player to play in Korea since 1998, when the KBO League introduced a foreign player system.

Iriki appeared in 39 games for Doosan, posting an average ERA of 3.74 with 7 wins, 11 losses and 5 saves. He had five complete games and three complete shutouts. 안전놀이터

In 2004, Riki Iriki, who played for the Taiwan Professional Baseball Laneu Bears, retired after the season.

Iriki’s younger brother Yusaku Iriki, a former pitcher, is the current Orix coach.

The Iriki brothers also played together in Yomiuri.