This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
Cromartie (Giants) accomplished a .400 batting average as late as August 21st, 1989, after 96 games. This is the latest in the season that it's been done. Cromartie finished that season with the Batting Crown with a .378 mark.
Hanshin's Bass, who passed .400 on July 16, 1986 (69th game of the season), holds the record for highest batting average at the end of the season, going 176 for 453 in 126 games for a .389 batting average. Ichiro's 1994 .385 is tops for the Pacific League and second only to Bass.
Will the tensai ("genius") batter overtake Bass come the end of the season? There's still a long way to go.
Nikkan Sports, June 11, 2000
Official 2000 Baseball Guide, ISBN4-7641-0450-4