His batting average in 1986 is all-time high ".389" . Nobody breaks his record. A batting genius, Ichiro Suzuki challenged two times but couldn't break. Ichiro can make many hits by his legs. On the other hand, Bass runs slow. Most hits of Bass were long. In that sense, Tigers fans could count on him. As long as his turn came, Tigers fans never gave up a game, no matter how large Tigers was behind, even though at a final inning.
Here is one of games and a legend game.
Apr 17th in 1985, Bass - Kakefu - Okada, 3 consecutive home runs to center field fence. At the bottom of 7th inning, 1 - 3, Tigers was 2 runs behind. "Soooooore Kattobase Baaaaass!!(Hit loooooong, Baaaaass!!) Raito he Refuto he Home Run!!(To the right field, to the left field, Home Run!!)" Tigers fans sang out loud with their wishes. Bass did it! Bass's home run turned the game and led to a win. | |
In that year, Tigers won the Central League championship and advanced to the Japan Series.
Bass did great in the Japan Series as if he didn't have anything unpleasant in the end of the regular season. He hit home runs 2 days in a row. After the game, Tigers Manager Yoshio Yoshida(吉田義男) said to Bass. "I'm proud of you. You hit 56 home runs. You are beyond Sadaharu Oh."