Tatsunami 30th Player to Reach 2,000 Hits

While watching the Giants vs. Dragons game this evening (July 5, 2003), Chunichi's Tatsunami Kazuyoshi (surname first) came up to the plate in the top of the 8th inning with two on and nobody out. The fans in the left field stands were on their feet, holding banners and signs counting down to 2,000 hits, the signs bearing the number "1." Tatsunami, after working the count full, ripped the ball into the gap on the right side, driving in a run (to make the game 4-1 in favor of Chunichi) and becoming the 30th player in Pro Yakyu history to reach the 2,000 hit plateau.

As the Chunichi fans changed banners to those of congratulations (they came prepared), PL Gaguen sempai Kiyohara ran into the first base dugout and brought out a bouquet of flowers to present to Tatsunami at first base, and was the first to shake the hand of the newest member of the 2,000 Hit Club. Tatsunami stood on first base for a while, acknowleging the crowd's cheers - which from what I could tell, were not only coming from the left side, but all around Tokyo Dome. After a bat-boy took the flowers back to the third base dugout, Tatsunami wiped his eyes and tipped his had a few more times toward the left side of the stadium.

Congratulations on 2,000 hits, Tatsunami.