Career
Reputed for his slugging ability, he ate a lot and became a strong hitter, though was later weakened by diabetes mellitus. With 567 home runs, Kadota is number three on the NPB career list. That year he was also given the Matsutaro Shoriki Award, for contribution to the development of professional baseball.
After playing for the Orix Braves for two seasons, he returned to the Hawks in 1991.
He retired after his last game against pitcher Hideo Nomo in 1992. Kadota was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.