Iida began his professional career with the Nankai Hawks of the Japanese Baseball League in 1947.

[3] In 1956, he played 154 games, setting an NPB record, which is shared with Kohei Sugayama and Shinya Sazaki.

[4] With the Hawks, Kazuto Tsuruoka, Chusuke Kizuka, Kazuo Kageyama, and Iida all made up what was known as the Million Dollar Infield, with Tsuruoka and Iida becoming Hall of Famers, Kizuka a six-time All-Star, and Kageyama a Rookie of the Year award winner.

Iida became the 8th manager of the Swallows, then-called the Atoms, in 1966, being replaced by Takehiko Bessho in 1968 after 3 consecutive losing seasons.

[5] Soon after, in 1969, he was appointed manager of the Hawks, being replaced with Katsuya Nomura the next year, following a 50-76-4 campaign, finishing last in the Pacific League.