Yoshio Kaiser TanakaMy Grandfather-The Tokyo Major Leaguer

By Kaiser TanakaApril 29, 2013

Yoshio Kaiser Tanaka

Everyone asked where I got the name of Kaiser. Simply put, I was named after my grandfather Yoshio “Kaiser” Tanaka.

Kaiser was a nickname he received while in college. It was derived from the German leader Kaiser Wilhelm II of World War One.

My grandparents: Yoshio “Kaiser” & Kay Katsuo Tanaka,

late 1930’s

Yoshio Kaiser Tanaka Both an

athlete and scholar, he was convinced to join the Japanese Professional League in 1937 by friend, and later baseball legend Tadashi “Bozo” Wakabayashi.

He started the first 7 years with the Hanshin Tigers as a catcher.

From left: Joe DiMaggio, Lefty O'Doul, Bozo Wakabayashi & Kaiser Tanaka

Photograph by the Bozo Wakabayashi family/estate, with thanks and apologies

That’s my Grandad!!

Yoshio Kaiser Tanaka In 1957, Grandad Kaiser became the head coach for the Hanshin Tigers By taking this position, he

became the FIRST American-born citizen to coach a Japanese League.

Over the next two consecutive years, he led the Tigers to Second Place in the Japanese League.

Coaching Highlight: The 'Emperor's Game'

between the Tigers & the Yomiuri/”Tokyo” Giants in 1959 at Korakuen Stadium. This was the only game which the

Emperor of Japan Hirohito attended during his reign.

Unfortunately, the Tigers lost the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Yoshio Kaiser Tanaka In 1959, Grandad retired

from the Tigers. In 1961, he later became

the coach for the Daimai (now Lotte)Orions. After four years with

them, he retired from baseball altogether in 1965.

I was born three years after he retired, and was given his nickname as my surname.

The Kaisers

Yoshio Kaiser Tanaka

Sadly, in 1985, Yoshio Kaiser Tanaka passed away quietly in his sleep in Japan.

He is still missed by his family to this day. Perhaps more by his eldest grandson & namesake.