A legend who etched their name in the team's history

On August 30th, the retirement game for Saitama Seibu Lions Takumi Kuriyama will be held. He played his entire 25-year career with The Lions, accumulating 2,151 hit. He holds the club record for most statistics, including his number hit, and this will be the final game for this legendary player. This time, we will look back on Kuriyama's long career with various statistics.

Brilliant plate discipline since the start of their career.

In 2004, his third year as a professional, he made his debut in the first team, and the following year he played in 84 games. At the young age of 22, he recorded a batting average of .297, leaving behind impressive results that foreshadowed his future success.

One of Kuriyama's strengths is his keen eye for pitches, and glimpses of this can be seen even in his early days as a player. Except for 2004, when he only had three at-bats, his swing rate in the ball zone was consistently around 20% until 2007.

Compared to the league average for players under 24 years old, Kuriyama's walk count at the time was remarkably low, making it one of the top numbers among his peers. This exceptional ability, which he demonstrated even before becoming a regular player, was the source of his 1052 Walk, which ranks 16th all-time in NPB history.

The durability to consistently play in matches as a key player.

In 2008, he reached the required number of plate appearances for the first time and contributed to the team's Japan Series title with a .317 batting average. Since becoming a core player that year, he has built up an impressive record, including four Best Nine awards and one Golden Glove. However, what is most remarkable about his prime is that he almost never missed a game due to injury.

During the nine seasons from 2008 to 2016, the percentage of games he appeared in the starting line-up was an exceptionally high 94.9%, ranking first in the league by a significant margin over the rest of the field.

No matter how great one's talent, it goes to waste if they cannot take the field. His 'iron man' durability, born from a high level of professionalism and meticulous daily self-care, is surely why he is considered a legend.

A "utility hitter" who can handle various roles

Next, let's look at the career percentage of starting line-up appearances by batting order. Not only has he appeared in every batting order from 1st to 9th, but it is also characteristic that there is little bias, with six batting orders having a percentage of 10% or more.

The plate discipline to earn Walks, the dexterity to handle small ball tactics like bunts and hit-and-runs, and the punching power that recorded double-digit Home Runs six times in his career. Because he was a player who combined various abilities, he was entrusted with many batting orders. Combined with the aforementioned physical strength, for the manager, he must have been a truly reliable presence who would fulfill his role no matter where his name was written on the line-up card every game.

The decisive hit that led the team to a win.

And many people probably associate Kuriyama with the image of being "strong in clutch play." And for good reason, his nine career walk-off hits tied the most among active players in Pacific League. Especially in 2017, he recorded three in a single season, demonstrating his clutch strength.

That year, starting line-up although he played fewer than 100 games for the first time in ten seasons, his high concentration remained high, with a pinch-hitting average of .313. Among the members who later formed the powerful lineup known as the 'Bandit Lineup,' he supported the batting lineup and helped the team enter the A-class for the first time in four years. This season laid the foundation for back-to-back league championships the following year.

So far, we've looked back on his career while introducing data, but ideally, just using numbers wouldn't be enough to talk about Kuriyama. His attitude of leading the team through his play and words, his constant pursuit of evolution, and his passionate message to fans .......

The part that doesn't remain in that shape is the main reason he has been loved by fans. The moment of putting down the bat is drawing near. With the deepest gratitude to 'Mr. Leo' heading to the final stage of the flower path, 'Let's go, Kuriyama.'

* All figures in text and tables are as of August 27, 2026.

Bun Data Stadium


information

On Persol Pacific League TV, the retirement matches and ceremonies of Saitama Seibu Lions Takumi Kuriyama players will be streamed live.
A match where all managers, coaches, and players from the first to the third squad wear special jersey only on the day!
Be sure to see Kuriyama's final moments of bravery!

Join Persol Pacific League TV here
https://pacificleague.com/setup/plan