Hiromi Matsuoka

The Swallows best pitcher of the 1970s, Hiromi Matsuoka topped the Yakult pitching staff in 1978.

Earning that year's Sawamura Award while helping the Swallows capture their first Central League flag, the right-handed hurler posted a 16-11 record. Two years later, he earned the CL pitching crown with a 2.35 ERA.

In his 18-season career (1968-85) with the Swallows, Matsuoka compiled a career 191-190 record, leading the team in wins seven times, while posting a lifetime 3.33 ERA with 2008 strikeouts (13th on the all-time list) against 1252 walks.