Japanese HOF Exclusions?

Hello, Albright-san.

It's a very intersting topic. When I was in Japan, I did not know how the Meikyu-kai worked. I am surprised to learn that Yamamoto Koji has not been inducted.

My comment will be debatable, so I leave criticisms to other knowlegeable fans, but I have heard about "family" such as the Kawakami-family and Tsuruoka-family. Things get really messy when it comes down to the Hirooka-family. Kyojin-line personnel could be considered as a part of the Kawakami-family, but Hirooka, from his years with Yakult and with Seibu, has kept himself apart from K-family. Mori Masaaki (former Lions' and BayStars' kantoku), previously known as Masahiko, also made his name known as a head coach under Hirooka. I think Nomu-san is from Tsuruoka-family since he comes from the Nankai Hawks (currently Daiei).

I am not sure how these family things affect HOF induction, but from your listing, I noticed that one played for Hiroshima while the other two were Nishitetsu players. How about Kadota Hiromitsu? He should be eligible soon, and he used to be a DH. Can you believe he used to play outfield? Wow

Personally, I think your three players and Kadota-san deserve to be inducted. Playing in the Pacific League might have also worked against them (not Yamamoto-san) because back in their playing days Yomiuri games were the only zenkoku-net (national network) games people could watch.

We should remember the old-saying: "Kyojin, Taiho (sumou-wrestler), Tamagoyaki" ("Giants, pro wresting, fried egg). In this sense, opportunities to see Yamamoto-san's performance (from his best years) should have been limited to: vs. Kyojin-sen, playoffs, and Nihon-Series.

What do you think, Albright-san?

Yuki Sei (sigbotchan)

- I did not know how the Meikyu-kai worked. I am surprised to learn that Yamamoto Koji has not been inducted.

Um, Yamamoto Koji is in the Meikyukai. Admission for fielders/batters is 2,000 hits, which he cleared. I think you're confusing the Meikyukai with the Hall of Fame. These are different (often overlapping) groups.

I'm in the process of totally revamping my pages at baseballguru.com, which will include all-new articles on the greatest all-time players plus many other things. I'll let those articles at least serve as my answer to your questions to start it off. If that's not enough, let me know and we'll try to cover it a little more. Sorry to put you off like this, but those new articles do so much to work with the discussion you seem to want, I think it best to do it this way.

Jim Albright