Game 7 Ninth Inning Situation
On November 4, 1979, at Osaka Stadium in Japan Series Game 7, Hiroshima led 4-3 entering the bottom of the ninth. Yutaka Enatsu took the mound as reliever, having recorded 22 saves that season after his revival with Hiroshima.
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Bases Loaded, Nobody Out
Kintetsu loaded the bases with nobody out. One hit would win the series. From this desperate situation, Enatsu's 21 pitches became the most famous pitching sequence in NPB history. He calmly struck out the first batter.
The Squeeze Play Detection
With one out and bases loaded, Kintetsu called for a squeeze bunt. Enatsu detected the sign and threw a waste pitch. The runner charging home was tagged out by catcher Shiro Mizunuma. Enatsu retired the final batter to clinch Hiroshima's championship.
Books about the 1979 Japan Series are also helpful
Legacy of 21 Pitches
Enatsu's 21 pitches became the subject of NHK specials and Junji Yamagiwa's nonfiction work, remembered as NPB's most famous pitching sequence. The game represented the pinnacle of Hiroshima's golden era with back-to-back Japan Series titles.