List of Major League Baseball players from Japan
A total of 58 Japanese-born[1] players have played in at least one Major League Baseball (MLB) game. Of these players, seven are currently on MLB rosters.[2] The first instance of a Japanese-born player playing in MLB occurred in 1964, when the Nankai Hawks, a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team, sent three exchange prospects to the United States to gain experience in MLB's minor league system. One of the players, pitcher Masanori Murakami, was named the California League Rookie of the Year while playing for the Fresno Giants (the San Francisco Giants' Class-A team). Giants executives were impressed with his talent and on September 1, 1964 Murakami was promoted, thus becoming the first Japanese player to play in MLB.[3] After Murakami put up good pitching statistics as a reliever, Giants executives sought to exercise a clause in their contract with the Hawks that, they claimed, allowed them to buy up an exchange prospect's contract. NPB officials objected, stating that they had no intention of selling Murakami's contract to the Giants and telling them that Murakami was merely on loan for the 1964 season. After a two-month stalemate the Giants eventually agreed to send Murakami back to the Hawks after the 1965 season. This affair led to the 1967 United States – Japanese Player Contract Agreement, also known as the "Working Agreement", between MLB and NPB, which was basically a hands-off policy.[4][5]
For thirty years Murakami was the only Japanese player to appear in an MLB game. Pitcher Hideo Nomo, with the help of agent Don Nomura, became the second Japanese-born player to play in MLB in 1995. Nomo, who was not yet eligible for free agency in Japan, was advised by Nomura that a "voluntary retirement" clause in the Working Agreement did not specify that a player wishing to play again after retiring must return to NPB. Nomo utilized this loophole to void his NPB contract with the Kintetsu Buffaloes and play in MLB. He announced his retirement from NPB in late 1994 and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in February 1995.[6] Nomo's maneuver and Hideki Irabu's later MLB contractual complications were contributing factors to a major revision of the Working Agreement in 1998 that created the current posting system.[7] Since its inception 12 Japanese-born players have been signed through the system, however one of these players, Shinji Mori, did not play in a single MLB game due to an injury. NPB players who have nine or more years of playing service with NPB can become free agents and do not need to enter MLB through the posting system.[8] The remaining Japanese-born players that have played in MLB have either signed as free agents or signed as amateur players. Mac Suzuki, Micheal Nakamura, Kazuhito Tadano, and Junichi Tazawa are the only Japanese players to have debuted in MLB without previously playing in NPB.[9][10][11][12]
Japanese-born players have had a range of success in MLB. Twelve players have been selected to participate in the All-Star Game; Ichiro Suzuki has made the most appearances with ten. In addition to these selections, Ichiro has won several prestigious MLB awards including the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award and the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in 2001, the All-Star Game MVP Award in 2007 and multiple Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards. Ichiro also holds the MLB record for the recording the most hits in a single season. Hideo Nomo was the only Japanese-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter until Hisashi Iwakuma accomplished the feat on August 12, 2015. Nomo threw two in total; the first came in 1996 and the last occurred in 2001. Eleven Japanese players have played in the World Series. Of these players, So Taguchi has won the most with two and Hideki Matsui is the only one to win the World Series MVP Award.
Table key
§ |
Signed with a Major League Baseball team without first playing for a Nippon Professional Baseball team |
---|---|
* |
Signed with a Major League Baseball team via the posting system |
Inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame |
Current players
Player | Position | Debut | Team(s) | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Junichi Tazawa§ | P | August 7, 2009 | Boston Red Sox (2009–2016) Miami Marlins (2017–2018) Los Angeles Angels (2018–) |
Active | [13][14] |
Yu Darvish* | P | April 9, 2012 | Texas Rangers (2012–2017) Los Angeles Dodgers (2017) Chicago Cubs (2018–) |
60-day DL | [15][16] |
Masahiro Tanaka* | P | April 4, 2014 | New York Yankees (2014–) | Active | [17][18] |
Kenta Maeda* | P | April 6, 2016 | Los Angeles Dodgers (2016–) | Active | [19] |
Shohei Ohtani* | P/DH | March 29, 2018 | Los Angeles Angels (2018–) | Active | [20] |
Yoshihisa Hirano | P | March 29, 2018 | Arizona Diamondbacks (2018–) | Active | [21] |
Kazuhisa Makita* | P | March 30, 2018 | San Diego Padres (2018–) | Active | [22] |
Former players
Player | Position | MLB debut | Final MLB game | Former MLB Team(s) | Current league/status | Current team | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masanori Murakami | P | September 1, 1964 | October 1, 1965 | San Francisco Giants (1964–1965) | Retired | — | [23] |
Hideo Nomo |
P | May 2, 1995 | April 18, 2008 | Los Angeles Dodgers (1995–1998, 2002–2004) New York Mets (1998) Milwaukee Brewers (1999) Detroit Tigers (2000) Boston Red Sox (2001) Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2005) Kansas City Royals (2008) |
Retired | — | [24] |
Mac Suzuki§ | P | July 7, 1996 | June 28, 2002 | Seattle Mariners (1996, 1998–1999) Kansas City Royals (1999–2001, 2002) Colorado Rockies (2001) Milwaukee Brewers (2001) |
Retired | — | [25] |
Shigetoshi Hasegawa | P | April 5, 1997 | September 28, 2005 | Anaheim Angels (1997–2001) Seattle Mariners (2002–2005) |
Retired | — | [26] |
Takashi Kashiwada | P | May 1, 1997 | September 18, 1997 | New York Mets (1997) | Retired | — | [27] |
Hideki Irabu | P | July 10, 1997 | July 12, 2002 | New York Yankees (1997–1999) Montreal Expos (2000–2001) Texas Rangers (2002) |
Deceased (July 24, 2011) |
— | [28] |
Masato Yoshii | P | April 5, 1998 | September 11, 2002 | New York Mets (1998–1999) Colorado Rockies (2000) Montreal Expos (2001–2002) |
Retired | — | [29] |
Masao Kida | P | April 5, 1999 | August 3, 2005 | Detroit Tigers (1999–2000) Los Angeles Dodgers (2003–2004) Seattle Mariners (2004–2005) |
Retired | — | [30] |
Tomokazu Ohka | P | July 19, 1999 | October 4, 2009 | Boston Red Sox (1999–2001) Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (2001–2005) Milwaukee Brewers (2005–2006) Toronto Blue Jays (2007) Cleveland Indians (2009) |
Retired | — | [31][32] |
Kazuhiro Sasaki |
P | April 5, 2000 | September 28, 2003 | Seattle Mariners (2000–2003) | Retired | — | [33] |
Ichiro Suzuki* | OF | April 2, 2001 | May 2, 2018 | Seattle Mariners (2001–2012) New York Yankees (2012–2014) Miami Marlins (2015–2017) Seattle Mariners (2018) |
Special Assistant to the Chairman | Seattle Mariners | [34][35] |
Tsuyoshi Shinjo | OF | April 3, 2001 | June 27, 2003 | New York Mets (2001, 2003) San Francisco Giants (2002) |
Retired | — | [36] |
Takahito Nomura | P | April 3, 2002 | May 15, 2002 | Milwaukee Brewers (2002) | Retired | — | [37] |
Satoru Komiyama | P | April 4, 2002 | September 11, 2002 | New York Mets (2002) | Retired | — | [38] |
Kazuhisa Ishii* | P | April 6, 2002 | September 28, 2005 | Los Angeles Dodgers (2002–2004) New York Mets (2005) |
Retired | — | [39] |
So Taguchi | OF | June 10, 2002 | October 4, 2009 | St. Louis Cardinals (2002–2007) Philadelphia Phillies (2008) Chicago Cubs (2009) |
Retired | — | [40] |
Hideki Matsui |
OF/DH | March 31, 2003 | July 22, 2012 | New York Yankees (2003–2009) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2010) Oakland Athletics (2011) Tampa Bay Rays (2012) |
Retired | — | [41] |
Micheal Nakamura§ | P | June 7, 2003 | July 31, 2004 | Minnesota Twins (2003) Toronto Blue Jays (2004) |
Retired | — | [42] |
Kazuo Matsui | 2B/SS | April 6, 2004 | May 18, 2010 | New York Mets (2004–2006) Colorado Rockies (2006–2007) Houston Astros (2008–2010) |
NPB | Seibu Lions (Player-coach) |
[43][44] |
Akinori Otsuka* | P | April 6, 2004 | July 1, 2007 | San Diego Padres (2004–2005) Texas Rangers (2006–2007) |
Retired | — | [45] |
Shingo Takatsu | P | April 9, 2004 | October 2, 2005 | Chicago White Sox (2004–2005) New York Mets (2005) |
Retired | — | [46] |
Kazuhito Tadano§ | P | April 27, 2004 | July 16, 2005 | Cleveland Indians (2004–2005) | Retired | — | [47][48] |
Tadahito Iguchi | 2B | April 4, 2005 | September 28, 2008 | Chicago White Sox (2005–2007) Philadelphia Phillies (2007, 2008) San Diego Padres (2008) |
Retired | — | [49][50] |
Keiichi Yabu | P | April 9, 2005 | September 27, 2008 | Oakland Athletics (2005) San Francisco Giants (2008) |
Retired | — | [51] |
Norihiro Nakamura* | 3B | April 10, 2005 | May 6, 2005 | Los Angeles Dodgers (2005) | Retired | — | [52] |
Kenji Johjima | C | April 3, 2006 | October 3, 2009 | Seattle Mariners (2006–2009) | Retired | — | [54] |
Takashi Saito | P | April 9, 2006 | September 30, 2012 | Los Angeles Dodgers (2006–2008) Boston Red Sox (2009) Atlanta Braves (2010) Milwaukee Brewers (2011) Arizona Diamondbacks (2012) |
Retired | — | [55][56] |
Akinori Iwamura* | 2B/3B | April 2, 2007 | September 26, 2010 | Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays (2007–2009) Pittsburgh Pirates (2010) Oakland Athletics (2010) |
Retired | — | [57][58] |
Hideki Okajima | P | April 2, 2007 | June 13, 2013 | Boston Red Sox (2007–2011) Oakland Athletics (2013) |
Retired | — | [59] |
Daisuke Matsuzaka* | P | April 5, 2007 | September 25, 2014 | Boston Red Sox (2007–2012) New York Mets (2013–2014) |
NPB | Chunichi Dragons | [60][61] |
Kei Igawa* | P | April 7, 2007 | June 27, 2008 | New York Yankees (2007–2008) | Free agent | — | [62][63] |
Masumi Kuwata | P | June 10, 2007 | August 13, 2007 | Pittsburgh Pirates (2007) | Retired | — | [64] |
Kosuke Fukudome | OF | March 31, 2008 | June 3, 2012 | Chicago Cubs (2008–2011) Cleveland Indians (2011) Chicago White Sox (2012) |
NPB | Hanshin Tigers | [65] |
Kazuo Fukumori | P | March 31, 2008 | April 24, 2008 | Texas Rangers (2008) | Retired | — | [66] |
Masahide Kobayashi | P | April 2, 2008 | May 7, 2009 | Cleveland Indians (2008–2009) | Retired | — | [67] |
Hiroki Kuroda | P | April 4, 2008 | September 25, 2014 | Los Angeles Dodgers (2008–2011) New York Yankees (2012–2014) |
Retired | — | [68][69] |
Yasuhiko Yabuta | P | April 5, 2008 | October 4, 2009 | Kansas City Royals (2008–2009) | Retired | — | [70] |
Koji Uehara | P | April 8, 2009 | September 2, 2017 | Baltimore Orioles (2009–2011) Texas Rangers (2011–2012) Boston Red Sox (2013–2016) Chicago Cubs (2017) |
NPB | Yomiuri Giants | [71][72] |
Kenshin Kawakami | P | April 11, 2009 | September 9, 2010 | Atlanta Braves (2009–2010) | Retired | — | [73][74] |
Ken Takahashi | P | May 2, 2009 | September 25, 2009 | New York Mets (2009) | Retired | — | [75] |
Hisanori Takahashi | P | April 7, 2010 | April 11, 2013 | New York Mets (2010) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2011–2012) Pittsburgh Pirates (2012) Chicago Cubs (2013) |
Retired | — | [76] |
Ryota Igarashi | P | April 8, 2010 | August 12, 2012 | New York Mets (2010–2011) Toronto Blue Jays (2012) New York Yankees (2012) |
NPB | SoftBank Hawks | [77] |
Tsuyoshi Nishioka* | SS/2B | April 1, 2011 | August 8, 2012 | Minnesota Twins (2011–2012) | Free agent | — | [78][79] |
Yoshinori Tateyama | P | May 24, 2011 | September 26, 2012 | Texas Rangers (2011–2012) | Retired | — | [80] |
Nori Aoki* | OF | April 6, 2012 | October 1, 2017 | Milwaukee Brewers (2012–2013) Kansas City Royals (2014) San Francisco Giants (2015) Seattle Mariners (2016) Houston Astros (2017) Toronto Blue Jays (2017) New York Mets (2017) |
NPB | Yakult Swallows | [81][82] |
Munenori Kawasaki | SS/2B | April 7, 2012 | October 2, 2016 | Seattle Mariners (2012) Toronto Blue Jays (2013–2015) Chicago Cubs (2016) |
Free agent | — | [83][84] |
Hisashi Iwakuma | P | April 20, 2012 | May 3, 2017 | Seattle Mariners (2012–2017) | Free agent | — | [85][86] |
Kyuji Fujikawa | P | April 1, 2013 | May 15, 2015 | Chicago Cubs (2013–2014) Texas Rangers (2015) |
NPB | Hanshin Tigers | [87] |
Kensuke Tanaka | LF | July 9, 2013 | July 28, 2013 | San Francisco Giants (2013) | NPB | Nippon-Ham Fighters | [88][89] |
Tsuyoshi Wada | P | July 8, 2014 | September 4, 2015 | Chicago Cubs (2014–2015) | NPB | SoftBank Hawks | [90][91] |
Toru Murata | P | June 28, 2015 | June 28, 2015 | Cleveland Indians (2015) | NPB | Nippon-Ham Fighters | [92] |
Awards, records and notable accomplishments
Awards
- Most Valuable Player Award: Ichiro Suzuki, 2001 AL[93]
- World Series MVP: Hideki Matsui, 2009[94]
- ALCS MVP: Koji Uehara, 2013[94]
- All-Star Game MVP: Ichiro Suzuki, 2007[94]
- Rookie of the Year: Hideo Nomo, 1995 NL; Kazuhiro Sasaki, 2000 AL; Ichiro Suzuki, 2001 AL[95]
- Gold Glove Award: Ichiro Suzuki, 10 times, 2001–2010 AL OF[96]
- Silver Slugger Award: Ichiro Suzuki, 3 times, 2001, 2007, 2009[97]
- Player of the Month: Ichiro Suzuki, August 2004 AL; Hideki Matsui, July 2007 AL[98]
- Pitcher of the Month: Hideo Nomo, twice, June 1995, September 1996 NL; Hideki Irabu, twice, May 1998, July 1999 AL; Masahiro Tanaka, May 2014 AL[99]
- Rookie of the Month: Ichiro Suzuki, 5 times, April, May, June, August, September 2001 AL; Shohei Ohtani, twice, April, September 2018 AL Kazuhisa Ishii, April 2002 NL; Hideki Matsui, June 2003 AL; Hideki Okajima, April 2007 AL; Yu Darvish, April 2012 AL;[100]
- Player of the Week: Ichiro Suzuki, 5 times, August 8, 2004, June 4, 2006, September 26, 2010, September 23, 2012 AL, August 7, 2016 NL; Hideo Nomo, 4 times, June 25, 1995, April 14, September 22, 1996 NL, April 8, 2001 AL; Hideki Matsui, 4 times, June 29, 2003, May 30, 2004, June 19, 2005, July 24, 2011 AL; Shohei Ohtani, twice, April 8, September 9, 2018 AL; Kazuhiro Sasaki, April 29, 2001 AL; Daisuke Matsuzaka, May 20, 2007 AL; Hisashi Iwakuma, August 16, 2015 AL[101]
- MLB Players Association Outstanding Player of the Year Award: Ichiro Suzuki, 2004 AL
- MLB Players Association Outstanding Rookie of the Year Award: Ichiro Suzuki, 2001 AL
- Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award: Ichiro Suzuki, 2001 AL
- Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award: Hideo Nomo, 1995 NL, Kazuhiro Sasaki, 2000 AL
- MLB.com Defensive Player of the Year Award: Ichiro Suzuki, 2005
- MLB.com Setup Man of the Year Award: Hideki Okajima, 2007
Hitting
- Most hits in a single season: Ichiro Suzuki, 262 (2004) MLB Record[102]
- Most career Interleague hits: Ichiro Suzuki, 367 MLB Record
- Most consecutive seasons of 200 or more hits: Ichiro Suzuki, 10 (2001–2010) MLB Record
- Most seasons with 200 or more hits: Ichiro Suzuki, 10 (2001–2010) MLB Record (tie)
- Most games with five or more hits in a season: Ichiro Suzuki, 4 (2004) MLB Record (tie)
- Most pinch-hit plate appearances in a season: Ichiro Suzuki, 109 (2017) MLB Record
- Most pinch-hit at-bats in a season: Ichiro Suzuki, 100 (2017) MLB Record
- Batting titles: Ichiro Suzuki, 2001 (.350 Avg) and 2004 (.372 Avg)[103]
- Only Inside-the-park home run in All-Star game history: Ichiro Suzuki, July 10, 2007, AT&T Park, hitting leadoff for the American League
- Only MLB player to hit a home run in his first plate appearance of his first three seasons: Kazuo Matsui, 2004 (First pitch), 2005, 2006 (Inside-the-park home run)
- First Japanese player to play in the World Series: Tsuyoshi Shinjo, October 19, 2002, Giants vs. Angels, Edison Field, hitting 9th in the lineup as the Designated hitter
- First Japanese player to hit a home run: Hideo Nomo, April 28, 1998, Dodgers vs. Brewers, Dodger Stadium
- First Japanese player to hit a grand slam: Tsuyoshi Shinjo, May 17, 2002, Giants vs. Marlins, AT&T Park
- First Japanese player to hit a walk-off home run: Hideki Matsui, July 17, 2003, Yankees vs. Indians, Yankee Stadium
- First Japanese player to hit a home run in the postseason: Hideki Matsui, October 4, 2003, Yankees vs. Twins, Metrodome
- First Japanese player to hit a home run in the World Series: Hideki Matsui, October 19, 2003, Yankees vs. Marlins, Yankee Stadium
- First Japanese player to hit cleanup in the lineup: Tsuyoshi Shinjo, August 3, 2001, Mets vs. Diamondbacks, Bank One Ballpark
- 3,000 hit club: Ichiro Suzuki; entered August 7, 2016
Baserunning
- Stolen base champion: Ichiro Suzuki, 2001 AL (56 Stolen Bases)[104]
- Most consecutive stolen bases: Ichiro Suzuki, April 29, 2006 – May 16, 2007 (45) AL Record[105]
Pitching
- No-hitters
- Hideo Nomo: September 17, 1996 at Coors Field in Denver. Pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Colorado Rockies. Still the only no-hitter at Coors Field, which opened in 1995. Highest paid attendance (50,066) among all the no-hitters in currently used ballparks.
- Hideo Nomo: April 4, 2001 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Pitching for the Boston Red Sox against the Baltimore Orioles. Still the only no-hitter at Oriole Park, which opened in 1992. Earliest no-hitter in a season among all the no-hitters in currently used ballparks. Nomo is one of only five players that have ever pitched at least one no-hitter game in both the National League and American League in Major League Baseball history.
- Hisashi Iwakuma: August 12, 2015 at Safeco Field in Seattle. Pitching for the Seattle Mariners against the Baltimore Orioles. It was the fourth no-hitter at Safeco Field, behind Philip Humber, Kevin Millwood, and Félix Hernández.
- Strikeout champion: Hideo Nomo, 1995 NL (236 Strikeouts) & 2001 AL (220 Strikeouts); Yu Darvish, 2013 AL (277 Strikeouts, led both leagues)
- Fastest to reach 1000 career strikeouts in MLB history: Yu Darvish, September 8, 2017 (812 innings)
- Fastest to reach 500 career strikeouts in MLB history: Yu Darvish, April 6, 2014 (401 2/3 innings)
- Most consecutive quality starts from debut: Masahiro Tanaka (16) MLB Record (tie)
- Lowest single-season WHIP in MLB history (at least 50 innings): Koji Uehara, 2013 (0.565)
- Most saves in the postseason: Koji Uehara, 2013 (7 saves) MLB Record (tie)[106]
- Strikeouts in a single inning: Kazuhiro Sasaki, April 4, 2003 (4 strikeouts in the 9th Inning) MLB Record (tie)[107]
All-Star Game selections
Player | League | Selections | Year(s) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ichiro Suzuki | AL | 10 | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 | Inside-the-park home run, All-Star Game MVP (2007)[34][108] |
Yu Darvish | AL | 4 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 | Selected as the winner of the Final Vote but did not play (2012)[15][109][110] Selected but did not play (2013)[111] Selected but did not play (2017) |
Kazuhiro Sasaki | AL | 2 | 2001, 2002 | Closed and recorded a save (2001)[33][112] |
Hideki Matsui | AL | 2 | 2003, 2004 | Selected as the winner of the Final Vote (2004)[41][113] |
Hideo Nomo | NL | 1 | 1995 | Starting pitcher[24][114] |
Shigetoshi Hasegawa | AL | 1 | 2003 | [26] |
Hideki Okajima | AL | 1 | 2007 | Selected as the winner of the Final Vote, but did not play[59][108][115] |
Takashi Saito | NL | 1 | 2007 | [55] |
Kosuke Fukudome | NL | 1 | 2008 | [65] |
Hisashi Iwakuma | AL | 1 | 2013 | Selected but did not play[85][116] |
Masahiro Tanaka | AL | 1 | 2014 | Selected but did not play due to being on the disabled list[17] |
Koji Uehara | AL | 1 | 2014 | Selected in place of the injured Masahiro Tanaka[71] |
- Bold indicates the player was selected to the starting roster
World Series appearances
Player | World Series championships |
World Series appearances |
Year(s) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
So Taguchi | 2 | 3 | 2004 Cardinals 2006 Cardinals 2008 Phillies |
Did not play in the 2008 World Series, despite being on the Phillies' active roster[117][118][119] |
Hideki Matsui | 1 | 2 | 2003 Yankees 2009 Yankees |
World Series MVP (2009)[120][121] |
Tadahito Iguchi | 1 | 1 | 2005 White Sox | First Japanese player to win a World Series[122] |
Hideki Okajima | 1 | 1 | 2007 Red Sox | First Japanese pitcher to appear in a World Series. With Matsuzaka, first Japanese pitcher to win the World Series. The 2007 World Series was the first in which Japanese-born players appeared for both teams.[123] |
Daisuke Matsuzaka | 1 | 1 | 2007 Red Sox | First Japanese pitcher to both start and win a World Series game and first Japanese pitcher to win an MLB playoff game during the 2007 postseason. With Okajima, first Japanese pitcher to win the World Series. The 2007 World Series was the first in which Japanese-born players appeared for both teams.[123] |
Junichi Tazawa | 1 | 1 | 2013 Red Sox | [124] |
Koji Uehara | 1 | 1 | 2013 Red Sox | [124] |
Tsuyoshi Shinjo | 0 | 1 | 2002 Giants | First Japanese player to play in a World Series game[125] |
Kazuo Matsui | 0 | 1 | 2007 Rockies | The 2007 World Series was the first in which Japanese-born players appeared for both teams.[123] |
Akinori Iwamura | 0 | 1 | 2008 Rays | [126] |
Nori Aoki | 0 | 1 | 2014 Royals | [127] |
Kenta Maeda | 0 | 1 | 2017 Dodgers | [128] |
Yu Darvish | 0 | 1 | 2017 Dodgers | [129] |
- Bold indicates that the team won the World Series that year
Notes
- General
- "Players by birthplace : Japan Baseball Stats and Info". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- Inline citations
- ↑ This list does not include players that were born in Japan to American parents or players with Japanese ancestry who grew up in the United States (such as Dave Roberts).
- ↑ "Players by birthplace : Japan Baseball Stats and Info". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ Kleinberg, Alexander (December 24, 2001). "Where have you gone, Masanori Murakami?". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on August 18, 2002. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- ↑ Whiting 2004, pp. 75–80
- ↑ Singer, Tom (November 14, 2006). "Matsuzaka posting system's latest gem". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
- ↑ Whiting 2004, pp. 102–112
- ↑ Price, S.L. (July 8, 2002). "The Ichiro Paradox". Time. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
- ↑ "NPB, players to revise free-agency system". The Japan Times. Kyodo News. June 26, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
- ↑ Allen, Jim (September 12, 2008). "Amateur Tazawa bypassing Japan leagues for MLB". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 25, 2008.
- ↑ Schwarz, Alan (November 19, 2008). "Japanese Are Irked by U.S. Interest in Pitcher". The New York Times. Retrieved November 25, 2008.
- ↑ Browne, Ian (December 4, 2008). "Tazawa officially in fold for Red Sox". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Micheal Nakamura". Australian Baseball League. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Junichi Tazawa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Junichi Tazawa Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- 1 2 "Yu Darvish Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- ↑ "Yu Darvish Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- 1 2 "Masahiro Tanaka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Masahiro Tanaka Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Maeda, Dodgers hope for extended success". MLB.com. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Shohei Ohtani batting eighth, DHing in opener". MLB.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- ↑ "Yoshihisa Hirano, D-backs reach two-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Padres sign Japanese right-hander Makita". MLB.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ↑ "Masanori Murakami Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- 1 2 "Hideo Nomo Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Mac Suzuki Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- 1 2 "Shigetoshi Hasegawa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Takashi Kashiwada Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Hideki Irabu Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Masato Yoshii Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Masao Kida Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Tomo Ohka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "選手紹介 – 投手" [Player Profiles – Pitchers]. Toyama Thunderbirds. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- 1 2 "Kazuhiro Sasaki Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- 1 2 "Ichiro Suzuki Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Ichiro Suzuki Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Tsuyoshi Shinjo Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Takahito Nomura Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Satoru Komiyama Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Kazuhisa Ishii Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "So Taguchi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- 1 2 "Hideki Matsui Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Micheal Nakamura Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Kazuo Matsui Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Kazuo Matsui Japanese League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Akinori Otsuka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Shingo Takatsu Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Kazuhito Tadano Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "石川ミリオンスターズ 選手一覧" [Ishikawa Million Stars Player List]. Route Inn BCL. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Tadahito Iguchi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Tadahito Iguchi Japanese League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Keiichi Yabu Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Norihiro Nakamura Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Norihiro Nakamura Japanese League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Kenji Johjima Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- 1 2 "Takashi Saito Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Takashi Saito Japanese League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Akinori Iwamura Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "選手情報" [Player Info]. Fukushima Hopes. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- 1 2 "Hideki Okajima Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Daisuke Matsuzaka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Daisuke Matsuzaka Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Kei Igawa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Igawa, Kei". Nippon Professional Baseball. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Masumi Kuwata Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- 1 2 "Kosuke Fukudome Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Kazuo Fukumori Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Masahide Kobayashi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Hiroki Kuroda Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Hiroki Kuroda Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Yasuhiko Yabuta Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- 1 2 "Koji Uehara Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Koji Uehara Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Kenshin Kawakami Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Kawakami, Kenshin". Nippon Professional Baseball. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Ken Takahashi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Hisanori Takahashi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Ryota Igarashi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Tsuyoshi Nishioka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Tsuyoshi Nishioka Japanese League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Yoshinori Tateyama Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Nori Aoki Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- ↑ "Nori Aoki Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Munenori Kawasaki Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
- ↑ "Munenori Kawasaki Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- 1 2 "Hisashi Iwakuma Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- ↑ "Hisashi Iwakuma Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Kyuji Fujikawa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Kensuke Tanaka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ↑ "Kensuke Tanaka Japanese League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Tsuyoshi Wada Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Tsuyoshi Wada Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Cleveland Indians spring surprise starter on Baltimore Orioles --- RHP Toru Murata". Cleveland.com. Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Most Valuable Player MVP Awards & Cy Young Awards Winners". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- 1 2 3 "MLB Postseason World Series MVP Awards & All-Star Game MVP Award Winners". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Rookie of the Year Awards, Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, & Rolaids Relief Award Winners". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "MLB American League Gold Glove Award Winners". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "MLB Silver Slugger Award Winners – American League". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "MLB Major League Baseball Players of the Month". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "MLB Major League Baseball Pitchers of the Month". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "MLB Major League Baseball Rookies of the Month". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "MLB Major League Baseball Players of the Week". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Single-Season Hits". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Yearly League Batting average". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Yearly League Stolen Bases". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Stolen Bases Records". Baseball-Almanac.com. Baseball Almanac. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ↑ "All-time and Single-Season Postseason Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Four Strikeouts in One Inning". Baseball-Almanac.com. Baseball Almanac. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- 1 2 "Jul 10, 2007, AL All-Stars at NL All-Stars Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ↑ "Jul 10, 2012, NL All-Stars at AL All-Stars Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ↑ Newman, Mark (July 5, 2012). "Darvish and Freese win, going to All-Star Game". MLB.com. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Jul 16, 2013, AL All-Stars at NL All-Stars Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ↑ "Jul 10, 2001, NL All-Stars at AL All-Stars Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ↑ Newman, Mark (July 7, 2004). "Matsui, Abreu win Final Vote". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Jul 11, 1995, NL All-Stars at AL All-Stars Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ↑ "Okajima edges Bonderman, Halladay, others for All-Star spot". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 6, 2007. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Jul 16, 2013, AL All-Stars at NL All-Stars Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ↑ "2004 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ↑ "2006 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ↑ "World Series Rosters". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ↑ "2003 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ↑ "2009 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ↑ "2005 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- 1 2 3 "2007 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- 1 2 "2013 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ↑ "2002 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ↑ "2008 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ↑ "2014 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ↑ "2014 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- ↑ "2014 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
References
- Rains, Rob. Baseball Samurais: Ichiro Suzuki and the Asian Invasion. New York: St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2001. ISBN 0-312-98257-7.
- Whiting, Robert (April 2004). The Meaning of Ichiro: The New Wave from Japan and the Transformation of Our National Pastime. Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-53192-8.