The leading theme of baseball legend Toni Kohonen’s career has been his psyche, writes Simo Arkko, editor of Urheilu.
15:01•Updated 15:01
One of the most significant careers in Finnish sports history ends today at the Imatra baseball stadium.
Toni Kohonen, baseball player of all time, the significance and greatness in the sport is hard to even describe. In addition to championships, medals and personal achievements, Kohonen’s career is perhaps best reflected by the fact that Kohonen has played baseball for a third of the hundred-year history of the sport.
At the top and in the men’s Superpesis, the number of years accumulated was almost thirty. In his legendary career, Kohonen won ten SM golds and a total of 20 medals.
He was chosen baseball player of the year three times and rookie of the year 13 times. Kohose has the most East-West struggles, 23.
The baseball legend wasn’t just winning championships, he was one of the cornerstones of them not only because of his incredible hitting but also because of his infield play.
Kohonen’s best years were seen in the 2010s in Sotkamo Jymy, where he led the club five times in a row to the Finnish champion. Three hard times, Toni Kohonen, Jani Komulainen and Roope Korhonenformed a fierce trio in Jymy’s indoor game at the time.
See below Urheiluruutu’s story about Toni Kohose from Sunday, August 14, 2022. The viewing right ends on 12 September 2022.
A career like Kohonen’s could not be achieved without enormous ambition and mental strength. He was also a difficult and stubborn player who wanted to do things his own way.
When Kohonen was not allowed to play in Kitee as his team’s number one lock, in 1996 in Loimaa, he deliberately let three balls go under his flipper in one match. It led to dismissal from the club.
– But I can say that if I hadn’t made those decisions then, I would hardly have had such a career, at least as a locksmith. I wouldn’t do anything differently, Kohonen told .
As a striker, Kohonen initially excelled thanks to his extremely tough physique with his strong throwing arm and explosiveness. Thanks to them, he made chilling performances while burning forwards from keystrokes.
Later, Kohonen was more successful than before also through plate control, rhythm and tactics. He often adjusted his confident passes in just the right way according to the situation.
However, one can only wonder how Kohonen stayed involved in the development of the sport and locking for so long, even though they changed enormously during his long career.
The answer to this probably lies in Kohonen’s ferocious training and passion for the sport. He stated in my interview almost two years ago that he is able to play and stays in shape thanks to his passion.
– Yes, it starts with a personal attitude towards sports. The passion for this sport has been huge, Kohonen said about his career.
The leading theme in Toni Kohonen’s career has indeed been her psyche.
For many top athletes, their coat could have been emptied thanks to their achievements, but nothing was enough for Kohose. He wanted time and time again to be the best and win.
And so he was and won.
Baseball player of all time.