First American in Japan
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First American in Japan
Can anyone tell me who was the first American player in Japan and what year(s) did he play?
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Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Jbroks86 | Posted: Oct 28, 2006 3:20 PM
| SFT Fan
]
Harrison McGalliard was the first American and foreign player to play in the NPB during the 1936 season.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Mischa | Posted: Oct 29, 2006 8:47 AM
| TYS Fan
]
- Harrison McGalliard was the first American and foreign player to play in the NPB during the 1936 season.
Yoshio Takahashi and Herbert North also played in the first game ever, so three Americans at least go back to the origins.
Yoshio Takahashi and Herbert North also played in the first game ever, so three Americans at least go back to the origins.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: seiyu | Posted: Oct 31, 2006 4:06 AM
]
He was called "Bucky Harris" in Japan. I guess this is the start of the simplification of American names.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Jbroks86 | Posted: Oct 31, 2006 11:08 AM
| SFT Fan
]
Yeah, from what I understand the name "McGalliard" was too hard to pronounce for the Japanese public. Thus, McGalliard was called "Bucky Harris," not to be confused with former HOF manager and Washington Senators second baseman Bucky Harris.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Guest: bkmckenna | Posted: Nov 29, 2006 2:25 PM
]
Didn't Jimmy Bonna, Kiyomi Hirakawa, Jimmy Horio, Kazuyoshi Matsuura, and Tadashi Wakabayashi also play in 1936? Wakabayashi first went to Japan in 1928.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Brimsek | Posted: Jan 5, 2007 10:24 PM
| HNHF Fan
]
I don't know about the others, but Wakabayashi did play in 1936 with the Tigers.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Kiyoshi | Posted: Jan 6, 2007 1:51 AM
| HAN Fan
]
I met George (Kazuyoshi) Matsuura's son in LA a few years ago. He mentioned that Harrison (aka Bucky Harris) McGalliard, Herb North, and Jimmy Bonna played in Japan in 1936. Most of these guys were scouted from the LA Nippons amateur team. McGalliard's daughter confirms this.
This info and more can be found in the Japanese Baseball Encyclopedia. Yes, Wakabayashi was in Japan prior to 1936.
George Matsuura's son showed me pictures of the happy times the players had in Japan. Most striking were the photos of their sad ship-side departures in 1939 as "war drums" were getting louder. The Japanese-American players had to decide to stay or leave while the other American players had no choice.
This info and more can be found in the Japanese Baseball Encyclopedia. Yes, Wakabayashi was in Japan prior to 1936.
George Matsuura's son showed me pictures of the happy times the players had in Japan. Most striking were the photos of their sad ship-side departures in 1939 as "war drums" were getting louder. The Japanese-American players had to decide to stay or leave while the other American players had no choice.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Guest: RPearce | Posted: Jun 3, 2007 1:30 PM
]
Hi, just wanted to add a brief clarification to this old thread. Harrison McGalliard was actually Andrew "Bucky" Harris McGalliard and he was one of eight Americans to join the new professional Japanese league in 1936. Fumito "Jimmy" Horio had joined the professional Dai Nippon Tokyo Yakyu Kurabu (Tokyo Giants) which was founded in December of 1934 and toured in 1935 before the founding of the league in 1936. Bucky (the first Caucasian American) had a successful career, staying through the 1938 seasons.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Guest: Lance Miccio | Posted: Dec 25, 2008 4:15 AM
]
I realize that this is an old thread, but I just need to add this.
This site is such a great source of information. Recently I interviewed William Kelly of Yale. He says that this is the best site about Yakyu history.
This site is such a great source of information. Recently I interviewed William Kelly of Yale. He says that this is the best site about Yakyu history.
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Guest: Jim Leinen | Posted: Jul 28, 2016 8:12 AM
]
I realize that this is an old thread, but I just need to add this. Is this the same "Bucky Harris" that played with the 1931 Wichita (KS) Aviators?
Re: First American in Japan
[ Author: Guest | Posted: May 17, 2017 8:41 AM
]
[Reviving old thread.]
Is this the same "Bucky Harris" that played with the 1931 Wichita (KS) Aviators?
Did he play with "Woody" Jensen in Wichita?
Is this the same "Bucky Harris" that played with the 1931 Wichita (KS) Aviators?
Did he play with "Woody" Jensen in Wichita?
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