First American to Play in Japan?
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First American to Play in Japan?
OK, the first American to play in Japan: Wally Yonamine from Hawaii?
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Re: First American to Play in Japan?
[ Author: Guest: Jim Albright | Posted: Mar 27, 2003 12:42 PM
]
Nice guess, but Bucky "Harris" caught for Nagoya in the last 1930's. He may or may not be the first, but off the top of my head, he's my candidate, at least for NPB (which started in 1936).
Yonamine is a 1950's player.
Jim Albright
Yonamine is a 1950's player.
Jim Albright
Re: First American to Play in Japan?
[ Author: Kiyoshi | Posted: Mar 28, 2003 3:17 PM
| HAN Fan
]
Jimmy Horio, Bozo Wakabayashi, and possibly other Hawaiians were playing Japanese amateur baseball before 1936 and turned professional with the advent of Japanese professional baseball.
Harrison "Bucky Harris" McGalliard, George Matsuura, Herb North, and Sam Takahashi came to Japan from the LA Nippons in 1936.
McGalliard was called "Bucky Harris" because the Japanese couldn't say his name.
Jimmy Bonna, from Sacramento, joined the professional league in September 1936.
Harrison "Bucky Harris" McGalliard, George Matsuura, Herb North, and Sam Takahashi came to Japan from the LA Nippons in 1936.
McGalliard was called "Bucky Harris" because the Japanese couldn't say his name.
Jimmy Bonna, from Sacramento, joined the professional league in September 1936.
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