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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Sports Desk • Baseball

Munenori Kawasaki

Munenori Kawasaki is a Japanese professional baseball infielder, best known for playing shortstop and second base in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Munenori Kawasaki is a Japanese professional baseball infielder who has played in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball. He is best known for his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, where his energetic personality made him a fan favourite.

What it is

Munenori Kawasaki is a shortstop and second baseman born on June 3, 1981, in Kagoshima, Japan. He has played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan, and in MLB for the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago Cubs. As of the latest available information, he plays for the Tochigi Golden Braves in Japan's independent Baseball Challenge League.

Why it matters to Canadians

Kawasaki is notable to Canadian readers for his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he became a widely recognized personality. His memorable interviews and energetic style made him a fan favourite during his MLB years, adding a unique character to the team's clubhouse.

Key details

He bats left and throws right. He has played primarily at shortstop and second base, with some appearances at third base. His MLB debut was on April 7, 2012. He is 45 years old as of July 24, 2026.

In short

  • Japanese professional infielder who played in NPB and MLB.
  • Played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago Cubs.
  • Known for his energetic personality and memorable interviews.
  • Currently with the Tochigi Golden Braves in Japan's independent league.
Canadian angle

Kawasaki is notable to Canadian readers for his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he became a fan favourite and a widely recognized personality.[1][6][13]

Quick questions

Who is Munenori Kawasaki?
Munenori Kawasaki is a Japanese professional baseball infielder who has played in Japan and Major League Baseball.
What team does Munenori Kawasaki play for?
The latest available source lists him with the Tochigi Golden Braves.
What is Munenori Kawasaki known for?
He is known for being a Japanese baseball infielder and for his energetic, memorable personality during his MLB years.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munenori_Kawasaki
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, current team, and career history including MLB and Japanese teams.
  2. Major League Baseball — https://www.mlb.com/player/munenori-kawasaki-493128
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and MLB profile details.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/bio/_/id/32047/munenori-kawasaki
    Supports: Position, birth date, and birthplace.
  4. Wikipedia (Simple English) — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munenori_Kawasaki
    Supports: Basic biography and career history.
  5. Baseball-Reference — https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kawasmu01.shtml
    Supports: Age, birthplace, positions, and career history.
  6. CBC Sports — https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/quirky-munenori-kawasaki-fitting-in-with-blue-jays-1.1305773
    Supports: Toronto Blue Jays context and reputation for personality.