Isao Harimoto, A-bomb survivor and Japan baseball great known as 'Hit Machine,' dies at 86

Isao Harimoto, Japanese baseball great and Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor, died at 86

He holds Japan's career hits record with 3,085 hits, becoming the first player in Japan to reach 3,000 hits in 1980

The Golden Players Club said Harimoto died on Wednesday

He started his professional career in 1959 with the Toei Flyers, later the Nippon Ham Fighters

1940: Isao Harimoto born to Korean parents in Hiroshima · At age four: Severe burns to his right hand cost him most of its mobility · Aug. 6, 1945: Harimoto, then five, survived the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima · 1959: Harimoto began his professional career with the Toei Flyers and was named rookie of the year with 115 hits · 1980: He became the first player in Japan to reach 3,000 career hits and moved to the Chiba Lotte Marines · 1981: Harimoto retired from professional baseball

86 age at death · 3,085 career hits · 1959 debut year · 504 home runs · 2,752 games played

The Golden Players Club did not specify the cause of death