Baseball came to Japan in 1872 and quickly grew in popularity. As Japanese interest in the sport grew, Japanese leagues and school teams were formed. Visiting American teams played some of these Japanese teams – and usually won – but even in defeat, Japanese baseball players were learning from the best players in the world and were demonstrating great skill. In 1934, an American All Star team including Babe Ruth, Moe Berg, Clint Brown, Jimmie Foxx, and Lou Gehrig arrived in Japan to play a series of exhibition games. In one game, Ruth, Gehrig, and Foxx were struck out in quick succession by Eiji Sawamura – a 17 year old Japanese pitcher. It was an incredible performance by the young pitcher and a sign that Japanese baseball was on the rise. During the Occupation of Japan, General MacArthur would encourage “baseball diplomacy” as a way to not only help rebuild Japanese morale but to create another bridge between the United States and Japan. Under MacArthur’s tenure, American teams once again traveled to Japan and major Japanese leagues took form. In later life, MacArthur credited baseball with helping to win the peace in Japan after the war.
A little bit of both baseball and history for your Monday afternoon.
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Baseball is a great game indeed!
As an American fan, I always find Japanese baseball strangely addictive. The crowds are so energetic.
And your question WAS????? Mister soap boxer!
LOL It was a good story, thank you for sharing Ger
Japanese baseballese was quite wonderful, isn’t it — the wan sutoraikku, tsu outo and doburu heda —- and my personal favorite, after the teams to bow to each other before the umpire hollers “Purei boru!”
On November 2, 1934, the day the Empress of Japan pulled into Yokohama harbor, 30,0 Japanese created one of the biggest bicycle and rickshaw jams in the empire’s history.
The players, among whom were Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Foxx, Lefty Gomez and Beibu Rusu, drove in open touring cars up the Ginza, Tokyo’s Broadway.
Half a million Japanese were packed 40 deep on the avenue, screaming “banzai” and “Rusu, Rusu, Rusu.”
More than 6 fans were hospitalized during the crush.
When the Americans went 20 miles outside Tokyo to practice, 20,0 Japanese walked out to watch them.
One game was played in light snow, another in a driving rain.
The visitors suggested calling the game off, but the Japanese wouldn’t hear of it.
Ruth played first base holding an umbrella in his left hand, snagging throws with his right.
The Americans won 7-0.
Dear God, don’t you LOVE this friggin’ game!
PUREI BORUI !
thanks for some baseball history.