How much do you know about baseball superstar Masahiro Tanaka? From his overwhelming pitching performances in Nippon Professional Baseball to his achievements in Major League Baseball, Tanaka has continued to captivate us.
In this article, we present surprising trivia and quiz questions about Masahiro Tanaka! You’ll have fun learning in a quiz format, including little-known stories from his private life and baseball career.
Why not explore the true face of Japan’s proud ace together with your family and friends?
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Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts (1–10) Revealing Masahiro Tanaka’s Unexpected Side
How many victories were recorded when achieving a 100% win rate in 2013?
- 23 wins
- 24 wins
- 25 wins
See the answer
24 wins
In 2013, Masahiro Tanaka, as the ace of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, went undefeated from Opening Day and finished the season with a 24–0 record. He became only the fourth pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball history to achieve a 1.000 winning percentage for a season. Thanks in part to his performance, the Rakuten Eagles won the Japan Series in 2013.
Total career strikeouts in the majors are
- 991
- 888
- 799
See the answer
991
Masahiro Tanaka recorded a total of 991 strikeouts in Major League Baseball. His greatest weapons are his pinpoint control and diverse array of breaking pitches, which allowed him to shut down many hitters and rack up strikeouts. This figure not only demonstrates the high level of his performance in the majors, but also stands as a historic mark for a Japanese pitcher—a testament to his pitching craft and the results of his hard work.
How many strikeouts did he record in his Yankees debut?
- 4 pieces
- 6 pieces
- 8 pieces
See the answer
8 pieces
Masahiro Tanaka made his official MLB debut as a starting pitcher on April 4, 2014, in the Yankees vs. Blue Jays game, recording eight strikeouts in his first outing. Although he endured a harsh initiation with a home run and allowed three runs by the end of the second inning—far from an ideal start—he gradually regained his rhythm and held the opposition to just two hits thereafter, earning high praise from the local media.
What event became a topic of conversation when he traveled to the United States for his transfer to the Yankees?
- I traveled wearing a Yankees uniform.
- I chartered a plane.
- I brought in a large amount of instant cup noodles.
See the answer
I chartered a plane.
When Masahiro Tanaka traveled to the United States for his move to the Yankees, he made headlines by chartering a private plane himself. This was a measure to thoroughly prepare for the transfer and manage his physical condition, showcasing his professionalism, planning, and attention to detail. It drew attention as an event that conveyed the seriousness and high level of preparation he brought to the move.
Where are you from?
- Hokkaido
- Hyogo Prefecture
- Iwate Prefecture
See the answer
Hyogo Prefecture
Masahiro Tanaka is from Itami City in Hyogo Prefecture and has been dedicated to baseball since elementary school. Because he attended high school in Hokkaido and his first professional team was based in the Tohoku region, he’s often mistaken for being from Hokkaido or Tohoku, but he was actually born in the Kansai area.
Which player formed a battery with him in his youth?
- Yuki Saito
- Hayato Sakamoto
- Kenta Maeda
See the answer
Hayato Sakamoto
Masahiro Tanaka formed a battery with his same-age teammate Hayato Sakamoto on the youth baseball team Konyasato Tigers. Both would go on to have outstanding careers in professional baseball, but back then they excelled at positions different from the ones they play today.
Which idol group is he known to be a fan of?
- Nogizaka46
- Momoiro Clover Z
- Country Girls
See the answer
Momoiro Clover Z
Masahiro Tanaka is a well-known die-hard fan of Momoiro Clover Z in the professional baseball world. He uses their songs as his walk-up music and even attends their concerts, and his passionate support is well known among fans. He has also interacted with the members, and they have even appeared to throw the ceremonial first pitch.