Japanese Baseball

Have you ever wondered how did Baseball reach the shores of Japan? Was its advent like that of the United States? Was it a children's game that turned into a national obsession? How long have they been playing Baseball?

In a way, Baseball hit Japan in much the same way as America. The difference is that Baseball was an import from a far away land for the Japanese, whereas, Baseball was born and bred in America. As most of you know, Baseball in America was a children's game that evolved from the game of cricket and rounders. In Japan, an American instructor introduced the game in 1873. His name is Horace Wilson.

"It was very important that it began inside a school. It didn't develop from games played by children. The fact that it started on the campus of Japan's most prestigious school, and that it was taught by a teacher, determined the fate of Japanese baseball.

The students of the time tended to stay in the classroom and study or debate constantly. But they didn't play any sports, and they were physically weak. They were unhealthy.

That was a problem. So [Horace Wilson] said, look, if you are going to lead Japan in the future, you have to be strong. You have to study, but you also have to be healthy. And baseball was his way of bringing the students outside and into the sun.

He just happened to know baseball, which he learned in the Civil War. That was very fortuitous for Japan. It could have been any sport. But the students loved baseball. They were fascinated."

Like in America, Japan owes its Baseball obsession to the American Civil War. Baseball spread like wildfire in America after the war. Soldiers would play the game and passed it along to fellow soldiers throughout the country. The Japanese discovered Baseball because a teacher learned the game when he was a soldier during that War.

It's funny how things can be different, yet eerily the same.

Horace Wilson was elected into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Hat Tip: Net54 VBCF: Adam:
Photo Link: Japanese BHOF:

LA's Forgotten Man- Ramon Martinez

With all of the talk about Russell Martin's leadership, Furcal's recent offensive push, Juan Pierre's scary defense and Willie Mays Hayes-like fly balls, the trouble at third, Tomko's demotion, Yhency's return and Saito's continued mastery, who has seemingly disappeared? Well it's Ramon Martinez.

I feel like this is a game of Where's Waldo. Is he here? Is he there? Where has he gone? Where is he? Has he run off to some distant land hoping that the Dodger faithful can find him before it's too late, or that management will finally let him play? Ramon has not been in a game since May 14th. That was 10 days ago. Of course, hitting .170 might have something to do with it. On the other hand, I think it's a message of the time.

We are in the midst of experiencing the fruits of our teams labor as our young infielders invade town. Abreu, LaRoche and Loney are chomping at the bit. They are ready to start their own dynasty. As a result, our super-reserve has been relegated to super bench warmer. Do you think he would have any trade value today?

Hey, Yhency is Back

Welcome back Yhency.Above is a original painting for the 2005 Donruss Diamond King card.

Story Link: Inside the Dodgers:

Welcome to the Team Tony

Our future 2nd baseman is here to show us a little bit of our future.

Abreu brings momentum. He batted .347 at Las Vegas with a .397 on-base percentage and .503 slugging percentage. If he performs well, Abreu eventually could supplant Juan Pierre and his subpar on-base percentage at the top of the batting order.

"Reports from scouts within and outside our organization said he was one of the best players in the [Pacific Coast League], if not the best player," Little said.

Story Link: LA Times:

Auction Wins: Brooklyn Dodgers Youth Belt & Dodger Triple Play Photo

I just received some goodies in the mail. Below are pics of two items I recently won in the Hunt Auctions monthly Internet/Phone auction.
The belt above is something I've been searching for a long time. It is a circa 1950's children's Brooklyn Dodgers beaded belt. They rarely come up for sell and are usually in very poor condition. This belt is well worn with some rusting on the buckle and yellowing in the beaded area. Nevertheless, it's a great vintage item. Above is a press photograph featuring Brooklyn Dodgers Gene Hermanski, Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges. It was taken after they completed a triple play on 4/26/1949. Note that this was the last triple play the Brooklyn Dodgers would ever complete.

From SABR:

4/26/1949 NL Brooklyn Dodgers vs NL Boston Braves Ebbets Field

Top 3 INNING Score 1 - 1 PLAY SEQUENCE: 7*-4*-3* Source: From NYT & TSN

2 Men On: First Eddie Stanky Second Johnny Sain Third

Alvin Dark (BSN) is the batter with a ?-? count. He hits a twisting fly to short left center. The LF (Gene Hermanski) raced in and snared the ball with a last desperate reach (OUT 1)

LF remaining upright from his extraordinary catch makes a quick lobbing throw to the 2B (Jackie Robinson) to double up the runner caught off second, Johnny Sain (OUT 2)

2B fires the ball to the 1B (Gil Hodges) well ahead of the runner from first, Eddie Stanky's return to first (OUT 3)

SABR Link: Triple Play:

MIlton Bradley Tours the Negro League Museum

As soon as I find my self in Kansas City I plan on making this museum the first thing I do.

"It's about education and inspiration," said Bob Kendrick, the museum's director of marketing who gave Bradley his walk-through. "The story is what they did to overcome the adversity, not necessarily the game itself. It's America at its worst, but it's also America at its triumphant best."

Read the rest of story here. There are a handful of stories including a mention of a game in 1925 between a black Baseball team, the Monrovians, and a Klu Klux Klan Baseball team. Who would have thunk it.

Story Link: Sac Bee: (reg. required)
Hat Tip: Net54 VBCF: