#Yokohama Taiyo Whales

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Mitsunori Kakehata

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#16 - Félix Millán - 2B - Yokohama Taiyō Whales (1978-1980)

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Foreign Born Players in Japanese Video Games - Pro Yakyuu Pennant Race

Released for the Sega Mark III (aka the Sega Master System) in 1987, Pro Yakyuu Pennant Race is a Japan-exclusive update of Great Baseball, released in North America earlier that year (and completely different from the Great Baseball released in Japan in 1985). While the American game used fictional player names and statistics, Pro Yakyuu Pennant Race used real stats from the 1986 NPB season.

Randy Bass - Hanshin Tigers - .398/47/109

Bass played 6 seasons for the Tigers, winning the Japanese Triple Crown in 1985 and 1986. In 2004 he was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate, serving until 2019.

Tony Brewer - Nippon-Ham Fighters - .321/20/68

Brewer appeared in 24 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers before heading to Japan where he played for 4 seasons, all with the Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Warren Cromartie - Yomiuri Giants - .363/37/98

One of the first North American stars to sign with a Japanese team, Cromartie spent 7 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, winning the Central League MVP award in 1989.

Dick Davis - Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes - .337/36/97

Davis played parts of six seasons in the majors before signing with the Buffaloes in 1984. In 1986 he charged the mound after being hit by a pitch by Osamu Higashio and was fined 100,000 yen.

Dave Hostetler - Nankai Hawks - .285/25/74

Hostetler was a member of the 1978 College World Series champion USC Trojans. After 4 seasons in the majors with Montreal and Texas, he signed with the Hawks and spent 2 years in Japan before playing one final season with Pittsburgh.

Leon Lee - Yakult Swallows - .319/34/97

Lee never made it to the majors, but played for 10 seasons in Japan and became the first African-American manager in NPB history when he took over the Orix BlueWave in 2003.

Leron Lee - Lotte Orions - .331/31/94

The older brother of Leon Lee, Leron played in Japan for 11 seasons, all with the Orions. When he retired after the 1987 season he was the NPB career leader in batting average.

Brad Lesley - Hankyu Braves - 5-3/2.63/19 saves

Nicknamed "The Animal," Lesley played in Japan for 2 seasons. After baseball, he had a successful career in television and movies, appearing on the Japanese game show Takeshi's Castle and in several feature films.

Carlos Ponce - Yokohama Taiyo Whales - 322/27/105

Ponce played in 21 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985 before signing with the Whales and playing in Japan for 5 seasons. After his playing career he became a coach, most recently with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the CPBL.

Pat Putnam - Nippon-Ham Fighters - .286/25/78

Putnam was chosen in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1975 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers. After 8 seasons in the majors, he signed with the Fighters and played 2 seasons with them before retiring.

Gary Rajsich - Chunichi Dragons - .251/36/82

Rajsich spent 4 seasons in the majors before heading to Japan. After finishing his playing career with the St. Petersburg Pelicans of the SPBA in 1989 he became a scout for the Baltimore Orioles.

George Vukovich - Seibu Lions - .265/18/67

Vukovich hit the only walk-off home run in Phillies playoff history in game 4 of the 1981 National League Division Series. After 6 years in the majors with Philadelphia and Cleveland he played 2 seasons in Japan, both with the Lions.

Greg Wells - Hankyu Braves - .350/42/103

"Boomer" spent parts of 2 seasons in the majors before signing with Hankyu in 1983. In 1984 he became the first non-Japanese player to win the NPB Triple Crown, batting .355 with 37 home runs and 130 RBI.

All player photos from Trading Card Database except for Dick Davis, which is from this Twitter thread because apparently the only pictures online of him in his Buffaloes uniform are from his fight with Osamu Higashio.

[npb-en]

Kawasaki Stadium stirs fond recollection of legendary games

#npb #YokohamaBayStars [Japan Times]Kawasaki Stadium, which had been the franchise home for the Takahashi Unions and Taiyo Whales (predecessor of the Yokohama BayStars) before Lotte came in 1978, has now been renamed Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki and has been renovated. It’s used more as an ...

[jculture-en]

Ito, Hoshino, Hiramatsu inducted into Hall of Fame

#npb #YokohamaBayStars [Japan Times]Hiramatsu, a high school and corporate league star before turning pro with the Taiyo Whales, the predecessors of today’s Yokohama BayStars, was renowned for his running fastball that he threw inside to terrorize the Central League’s right-handed hitters.

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James Paciorek

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Yashiki Kaname  

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Akio Saito

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Keiji Nagasaki

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Daisuke Yamashita

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Masaji Hiramatsu

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Hiroaki Nakayama

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Kazuhiko Endo

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Masaji Hiramatsu

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Toshio Choshi