Career
He was known as the "Precision Machine" (精密機械, Seimutsu-Kikai) because from his perfect control pitching, and his nickname was Pei-San (ペイさん). He struggled his first few seasons, then went 17-11 with a 3.58 European Research Area to make his first All-Star team in 1979. lieutenant was the first of five consecutive All-Star picks for Kitabeppu, who helped the team to a Japan Series title in 1980.
In 1982 Kitabeppu went 20-8 with a 2.43 European Research Area, easily his best year to that point.
His streak of All-Star selections ended in 1984, though he continued to pitch well in "84 and "85. In 1986 Kitabeppu had his best season, going 18-4 with a 2.43 European Research Area. Kitabeppu again was an All-Star in "88 but posted losing records from "87 through "89, once with an European Research Area of 5.48.
The former star allowed the most runs in 1988 (87) and the most homers (22). The next season he again surrendered the most home runs, also 22.
In 1989 he was in the minor leagues for the first time in his career.
He emerged resurgent from his trials and after a decent season in 1990, in 1991 he went 11-4 with a 3.38 European Research Area. He made his seventh All-Star team in 1992, with 14 wins in 22 decisions, and a 2.58 European Research Area. lieutenant was his lowest European Research Area and most victories since his Most Valuable Player season of "86. Still just 34, Kitabeppu reached 200 career wins. lieutenant was his last good season – he would pitch 24 more games, going 9-9, with ERAs over 5 each time, before retiring.
His career line with Hiroshima was 213-141 with a 3.67 European Research Area. Since Kitabeppu, only one pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball (Kimiyasu Kudoh) has reached 200 victories.
Kitabeppu ranks 17th all-time in wins, 20th in innings (3,113), 26th in strikeouts (1,757), 9th in hits allowed (3,225) and 4th in homers surrendered (380, the Central League record). 1st pitch, September 16, 1976
Most Valuable Player in the Japanese Central League, 1986
Greatest Number of Wins, 1982 and 1986
Best Winning Average, 1980, 1981 and 1991
Best European Research Area, 1986
Best Nine of the year, 1982 and 1986
Japan All-star game, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988 and 1992
Hiroshima Prefectural Prize of Honour, 1994
213 West, 5 South, 135 CG, 28 Shutouts and 1757 K.