List of Major League Baseball players from Japan

A total of 43 Japanese-born[1] players have played in at least one Major League Baseball (MLB) game through the 2010 season. The first instance of a Japanese-born player playing in MLB occurred in 1964, when the Nankai Hawks, a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team, sent three exchange prospects to the United States to gain experience in MLB's Minor League system. One of the players, pitcher Masanori Murakami, was named the California League Rookie of the Year while playing for the Fresno Giants (the San Francisco Giants' Class-A team). Giants executives were impressed with this talent and on September 1, 1964 Murakami was promoted, thus becoming the first Japanese player to play in MLB.[2] After Murakami put up good pitching statistics as a reliever, Giants executives sought to exercise a clause in their contract with the Hawks that, they claimed, allowed them to buy up an exchange prospect's contract. NPB officials objected, stating that they had no intention of selling Murakami's contract to the Giants and telling them that Murakami was merely on loan for the 1964 season. After a two-month stalemate the Giants eventually agreed to send Murakami back to the Hawks after the 1965 season. This affair led to the 1967 United States – Japanese Player Contract Agreement, also known as the "Working Agreement", between MLB and NPB, which was basically a hands-off policy.[3][4]

For thirty years Murakami was the only Japanese player to appear in an MLB game. Pitcher Hideo Nomo, with the help of agent Don Nomura, became the second Japanese-born player to play in MLB in 1995. Nomo, who was not yet eligible for free agency in Japan, was advised by Nomura that a "voluntary retirement" clause in the Working Agreement did not specify that a player wishing to play again after retiring must return to NPB. Nomo utilized this loophole to void his NPB contract with the Kintetsu Buffaloes and play in MLB. He announced his retirement from NPB in late 1994 and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in February 1995.[5] Nomo's maneuver and Hideki Irabu's later MLB contractual complications were contributing factors to a major revision of the Working Agreement in 1998 that created the current posting system. Since the its creation, seven Japanese-born players have entered MLB through the system.

Contents

Table key

†
 Currently on the 40-Man Roster
DL
 Currently on the Disabled List
*
 Signed with a Major League team via the Posting System
   §   
 Played in Major League Baseball without first playing in Nippon Professional Baseball

Active players

Player Position Debut Team(s) Notes
Suzuki, IchiroIchiro Suzuki* OF 02001-04-02 April 2, 2001 Seattle Mariners (2001–present) [6]
Saito, TakashiTakashi Saito P 02006-04-09 April 9, 2006 Los Angeles Dodgers (2006–2008)
Boston Red Sox (2009)
Atlanta Braves (2010)
Milwaukee Brewers (2011)
Arizona Diamondbacks (2012–present)		 [7]
Matsuzaka, DaisukeDaisuke Matsuzaka* P 02007-04-05 April 5, 2007 Boston Red Sox (2007–present) [8]
Uehara, KojiKoji Uehara P 02009-04-08 April 8, 2009 Baltimore Orioles (2009–2011)
Texas Rangers (2011–present)		 [9]
Tazawa, JunichiJunichi Tazawa§ P 02009-08-07 August 7, 2009 Boston Red Sox (2009–present) [10]
Takahashi, HisanoriHisanori Takahashi P 02010-04-07 April 7, 2010 New York Mets (2010)
Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim (2011–present)		 [11]
Nishioka, TsuyoshiTsuyoshi Nishioka* 2B/SS 02011-04-01 April 1, 2011 Minnesota Twins (2011–present) [12]
Tateyama, YoshinoriYoshinori Tateyama P 02011-05-24 May 24, 2011 Texas Rangers (2011–present) [13]
Wada, TsuyoshiTsuyoshi Wada P — Baltimore Orioles (2012–present) [14]

Former players

Name Position MLB Debut Final MLB Game Former MLB Team(s) Current League Current Team Notes
Murakami, MasanoriMasanori Murakami P 01964-09-01 September 1, 1964 01965-10-01 October 1, 1965 San Francisco Giants (1964–1965) Retired — [15]
Nomo, HideoHideo Nomo P 01995-05-02 May 2, 1995 02008-04-18 April 18, 2008 Los Angeles Dodgers (1995–1998, 2002–2004)
New York Mets (1998)
Milwaukee Brewers (1999)
Detroit Tigers (2000)
Boston Red Sox (2001)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2005)
Kansas City Royals (2008)		 Retired — [16]
Suzuki, MacMac Suzuki§ P 01996-07-07 July 7, 1996 02002-06-28 June 28, 2002 Seattle Mariners (1996, 1998–1999)
Kansas City Royals (1999–2001, 2002)
Colorado Rockies (2001)
Milwaukee Brewers (2001)		 KIBL Kobe Suns (Player/Manager) [17][18]
Hasegawa, ShigetoshiShigetoshi Hasegawa P 01997-04-05 April 5, 1997 02005-09-28 September 28, 2005 Anaheim Angels (1997–2001)
Seattle Mariners (2002–2005)		 Retired — [19]
Kashiwada, TakashiTakashi Kashiwada P 01997-05-01 May 1, 1997 01997-09-18 September 18, 1997 New York Mets (1997) Retired — [20]
Irabu, HidekiHideki Irabu P 01997-07-10 July 10, 1997 02002-07-12 July 12, 2002 New York Yankees (1997–1999)
Montreal Expos (2000–2001)
Texas Rangers (2002)		 Deceased — [21]
Yoshii, MasatoMasato Yoshii P 01998-04-05 April 5, 1998 02002-09-11 September 11, 2002 New York Mets (1998–1999)
Colorado Rockies (2000)
Montreal Expos (2001–2002)		 Retired — [22]
Kida, MasaoMasao Kida P 01999-04-05 April 5, 1999 02005-08-03 August 3, 2005 Detroit Tigers (1999–2000)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2003–2004)
Seattle Mariners (2004–2005)		 NPB Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters [23][24]
Ohka, TomokazuTomokazu Ohka P 01999-07-19 July 19, 1999 02009-10-04 October 4, 2009 Boston Red Sox (1999–2001)
Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (2001–2005)
Milwaukee Brewers (2005–2006)
Toronto Blue Jays (2007)
Cleveland Indians (2009)		 Free agent — [25]
Sasaki, KazuhiroKazuhiro Sasaki P 02000-04-05 April 5, 2000 02003-09-28 September 28, 2003 Seattle Mariners (2000–2003) Retired — [26]
Shinjo, TsuyoshiTsuyoshi Shinjo OF 02001-04-03 April 3, 2001 02003-06-27 June 27, 2003 New York Mets (2001, 2003)
San Francisco Giants (2002)		 Retired — [27]
Nomura, TakahitoTakahito Nomura P 02002-04-03 April 3, 2002 02002-05-15 May 15, 2002 Milwaukee Brewers (2002) Retired — [28]
Komiyama, SatoruSatoru Komiyama P 02002-04-04 April 4, 2002 02002-09-11 September 11, 2002 New York Mets (2002) Retired — [29][30]
Ishii, KazuhisaKazuhisa Ishii* P 02002-04-06 April 6, 2002 02005-09-28 September 28, 2005 Los Angeles Dodgers (2002–2004)
New York Mets (2005)		 NPB Saitama Seibu Lions [31][32]
Taguchi, SoSo Taguchi OF 02002-06-10 June 10, 2002 02009-10-04 October 4, 2009 St. Louis Cardinals (2002–2007)
Philadelphia Phillies (2008)
Chicago Cubs (2009)		 NPB Orix Buffaloes [33]
Matsui, HidekiHideki Matsui DH/OF 02003-03-31 March 31, 2003 02011-09-28 September 28, 2011 New York Yankees (2003–2009)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2010)
Oakland Athletics (2011)		 Free agent — [34]
Matsui, KazuoKazuo Matsui SS/2B 02004-04-06 April 6, 2004 02010-05-18 May 18, 2010 New York Mets (2004–2006)
Colorado Rockies (2006–2007)
Houston Astros (2008–2010)		 NPB Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles [35]
Otsuka, AkinoriAkinori Otsuka* P 02004-04-06 April 6, 2004 02007-07-01 July 1, 2007 San Diego Padres (2004–2005)
Texas Rangers (2006–2007)		 Free agent — [36]
Takatsu, ShingoShingo Takatsu P 02004-04-09 April 9, 2004 02005-10-02 October 2, 2005 Chicago White Sox (2004–2005)
New York Mets (2005)		 BCL Niigata Albirex (Player/Manager) [37][38]
Tadano, KazuhitoKazuhito Tadano§ P 02004-04-27 April 27, 2004 02005-07-16 July 16, 2005 Cleveland Indians (2004–2005) NPB Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters [39][40]
Iguchi, TadahitoTadahito Iguchi 2B 02005-04-04 April 4, 2005 02008-09-28 September 28, 2008 Chicago White Sox (2005–2007)
Philadelphia Phillies (2007, 2008)
San Diego Padres (2008)		 NPB Chiba Lotte Marines [41][42]
Yabu, KeiichiKeiichi Yabu P 02005-04-09 April 9, 2005 02008-09-27 September 27, 2008 Oakland Athletics (2005)
San Francisco Giants (2008)		 Retired — [43]
Nakamura, NorihiroNorihiro Nakamura* 3B 02005-04-10 April 10, 2005 02005-05-06 May 6, 2005 Los Angeles Dodgers (2005) NPB Yokohama DeNA BayStars [44][45]
Johjima, KenjiKenji Johjima C 02006-04-03 April 3, 2006 02009-10-03 October 3, 2009 Seattle Mariners (2006–2009) NPB Hanshin Tigers [46][47]
Okajima, HidekiHideki Okajima P 02007-04-02 April 2, 2007 02011-05-09 May 9, 2011 Boston Red Sox (2007–2011) AAA Pawtucket Red Sox [48]
Iwamura, AkinoriAkinori Iwamura* 2B 02007-04-02 April 2, 2007 02010-09-26 September 26, 2010 Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays (2007–2009)
Pittsburgh Pirates (2010)
Oakland Athletics (2010)		 NPB Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles [49]
Igawa, KeiKei Igawa* P 02007-04-07 April 7, 2007 02008-06-27 June 27, 2008 New York Yankees (2007–2008) AA Trenton Thunder [50][51]
Nakamura, MichealMicheal Nakamura P 02003-06-07 June 7, 2003 02004-07-31 July 31, 2004 Minnesota Twins (2003)
Toronto Blue Jays (2004)		 Free agent — [52][53]
Kuwata, MasumiMasumi Kuwata P 02007-06-10 June 10, 2007 02007-08-13 August 13, 2007 Pittsburgh Pirates (2007) Retired — [54]
Fukudome, KosukeKosuke Fukudome OF 02008-03-31 March 31, 2008 02011-09-28 September 28, 2011 Chicago Cubs (2008–2011)
Cleveland Indians (2011)		 Free agent — [55]
Fukumori, KazuoKazuo Fukumori P 02008-03-31 March 31, 2008 02008-04-24 April 24, 2008 Texas Rangers (2008) Retired — [56][57]
Kobayashi, MasahideMasahide Kobayashi P 02008-04-02 April 2, 2008 02009-05-07 May 7, 2009 Cleveland Indians (2008–2009) Retired — [58]
Kuroda, HirokiHiroki Kuroda P 02008-04-04 April 4, 2008 02011-09-27 September 27, 2011 Los Angeles Dodgers (2008–2011) Free agent — [59]
Yabuta, YasuhikoYasuhiko Yabuta P 02008-04-05 April 5, 2008 02009-10-04 October 4, 2009 Kansas City Royals (2008–2009) NPB Chiba Lotte Marines [60]
Kawakami, KenshinKenshin Kawakami P 02009-04-11 April 11, 2009 02010-09-09 September 9, 2010 Atlanta Braves (2009–2010) AA Mississippi Braves [61]
Takahashi, KenKen Takahashi P 02009-05-02 May 2, 2009 02009-09-25 September 25, 2009 New York Mets (2009) Retired — [62]
Igarashi, RyotaRyota Igarashi P 02010-04-08 April 8, 2010 02010-09-27 September 27, 2010 New York Mets (2010–2011) MiLB Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate [63]

Active Minor League players

Players signed to a Major League affiliate team that have yet to make their Major League debut

Name Position MiBL team MLB affiliate Notes
Shimabukuro, RyoheiRyohei Shimabukuro 1B GCL Braves (2007–2008)
Danville Braves (2009–present)		 Atlanta Braves [64]
Sumi, IkkoIkko Sumi C DSL Angels (2007)
AZL Angels (2008)
Salt Lake Bees (2009)
Arkansas Travelers (2009)
Orem Owlz (2009–present)		 Los Angeles Angels [65]
Boothe, RobertRobert Boothe P Ogden Raptors (2008)
Great Lakes Loons (2009–present)		 Los Angeles Dodgers [66]
Ishibashi, FumimasaFumimasa Ishibashi C Great Lakes Loons (2008–present) Los Angeles Dodgers [67]
Suda, KentaKenta Suda P AZL Mariners (2008, 2009)
Everett AquaSox (2008)
Pulaski Mariners (2009–present)		 Seattle Mariners [68]
Tanaka, RyoheiRyohei Tanaka P Bowie Baysox (2009–present) Baltimore Orioles [69]
Kawasaki, TaikiTaiki Kawasaki P TBD (2010) New York Mets
Nakamura, TakafumiTakafumi Nakamura P Mahoning Valley Scrappers (2010) Cleveland Indians
Yamarin, YoshinoriYoshinori Yamarin P TBD (2010) Atlanta Braves [70][71]
Okamoto, NaoyaNaoya Okamoto P Trenton Thunder (2011) New York Yankees

Awards and notable accomplishments

Offense

Pitching

All-star selection

Player League # of years Years Notes
Suzuki, IchiroIchiro Suzuki AL 10 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 [6]
Sasaki, KazuhiroKazuhiro Sasaki AL 2 2002, 2003 [26]
Matsui, HidekiHideki Matsui AL 2 2003, 2004 [34]
Nomo, HideoHideo Nomo NL 1 1995 [16]
Hasegawa, ShigetoshiShigetoshi Hasegawa AL 1 2003 [19]
Okajima, HidekiHideki Okajima AL 1 2007 [48]
Saito, TakashiTakashi Saito NL 1 2007 [7]
Fukudome, KosukeKosuke Fukudome NL 1 2008 [55]

World Series appearances

Player World Series
championships		 World Series
appearances		 Years Notes
Taguchi, SoSo Taguchi 2 3 2004 Cardinals
2006 Cardinals
2008 Phillies		 Did not play in the 2008 World Series, despite being on the Phillies' active roster
Matsui, HidekiHideki Matsui 1 2 2003 Yankees
2009 Yankees		 2009 World Series MVP
Iguchi, TadahitoTadahito Iguchi 1 1 2005 White Sox
Matsuzaka, DaisukeDaisuke Matsuzaka 1 1 2007 Red Sox First Japanese pitcher to both start and win a World Series game
Okajima, HidekiHideki Okajima 1 1 2007 Red Sox
Shinjo, TsuyoshiTsuyoshi Shinjo 0 1 2002 Giants
Matsui, KazuoKazuo Matsui 0 1 2007 Rockies
Iwamura, AkinoriAkinori Iwamura 0 1 2008 Rays

Notes

  1. ^ This list does not include players that were born in Japan to American parents or players with Japanese ancestry who grew up in the United States (such as Dave Roberts).
  2. ^ Kleinberg, Alexander (December 24, 2001). "Where have you gone, Masanori Murakami?". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 24, 2003. http://web.archive.org/web/20031024064230/http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news_story.jsp?article_id=sf_20011220_murakami_news&team_id=sf. Retrieved November 13, 2008. 
  3. ^ Whiting 2004, pp. 75–80
  4. ^ Singer, Tom (November 14, 2006). "Matsuzaka posting system's latest gem". Major League Baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061114&content_id=1740635&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos. Retrieved August 24, 2008. 
  5. ^ Whiting 2004, pp. 102–112
  6. ^ a b "Ichiro Suzuki Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukic01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  7. ^ a b "Takashi Saito Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/saitota01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  8. ^ "Daisuke Matsuzaka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matsuda01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  9. ^ "Koji Uehara Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/ueharko01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  10. ^ "Junichi Tazawa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tazawju01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  11. ^ "Takahashi on opening-day roster". The Japan Times. April 5, 2010. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sb20100405a1.html. Retrieved April 5, 2010. 
  12. ^ "Twins agree to $9.25 million, 3-year contract with Japanese batting champion Tsuyoshi Nishioka". Star Tribune. December 17, 2010. http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/112097984.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:iUiacyKUzyaP37D_ncyD_2yckUs. Retrieved December 18, 2010. 
  13. ^ "Rangers Sign Japanese reliever Yoshinori Tateyama". NBC Sports. November 30, 2010. http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/30/rangers-sign-japanese-reliever-yoshinori-tateyama/. Retrieved December 3, 2010. 
  14. ^ "O's sign Japanese lefty Wada to two-year deal". MLB.com. December 14, 2011. http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111214&content_id=26160612&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal. Retrieved December 15, 2011. 
  15. ^ "Masanori Murakami Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murakma01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  16. ^ a b "Hideo Nomo Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nomohi01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  17. ^ "Mac Suzuki Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukma01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  18. ^ "Roster". Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Professional Baseball Club. http://www.somdbluecrabs.com/roster.cfm. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  19. ^ a b "Shigetoshi Hasegawa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hasegsh01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  20. ^ "Takashi Kashiwada Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kashita01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  21. ^ "Hideki Irabu Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/irabuhi01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  22. ^ "Masato Yoshii Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yoshima01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  23. ^ "Masao Kida Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kidama01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  24. ^ "Kida, Masao". Nippon Professional Baseball. http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/players/31433868.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  25. ^ "Tomokazu Ohka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ohkato01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  26. ^ a b "Kazuhiro Sasaki Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sasakka01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  27. ^ "Tsuyoshi Shinjo Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shinjts01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  28. ^ "Takahito Nomura Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nomurta01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  29. ^ "Satoru Komiyama Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/komiysa01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  30. ^ "Komiyama, Satoru". Nippon Professional Baseball. http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/players/31733881.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  31. ^ "Kazuhisa Ishii Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/ishiika01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  32. ^ "Ishii, Kazuhisa". Nippon Professional Baseball. http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/players/31133885.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  33. ^ "So Taguchi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tagucso01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  34. ^ a b "Hideki Matsui Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matsuhi01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  35. ^ "Kazuo Matsui Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matsuka01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  36. ^ "Akinori Otsuka Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/otsukak01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  37. ^ "Shingo Takatsu Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/takatsh01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  38. ^ "Shingo Takatsu Stats". Minor League Baseball. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=t259&t=p_pbp&pid=430968. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  39. ^ "Kazuhito Tadano Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tadanka01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  40. ^ "Tadano, Kazuhito". Nippon Professional Baseball. http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/players/81985116.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  41. ^ "Tadahito Iguchi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iguchta01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  42. ^ "Iguchi, Tadahito". Nippon Professional Baseball. http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/players/51153884.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  43. ^ "Keiichi Yabu Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yabuke01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  44. ^ "Norihiro Nakamura Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nakamno01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  45. ^ "Nakamura, Norihiro". Nippon Professional Baseball. http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/players/21023885.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  46. ^ "Kenji Johjima Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johjike01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  47. ^ "Veteran Johjima accepts four-year offer from Tigers". The Japan Times. October 28, 2009. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sb20091028j1.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  48. ^ a b "Hideki Okajima Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/okajihi01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  49. ^ "Akinori Iwamura Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iwamuak01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  50. ^ "Kei Igawa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/igawake01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  51. ^ "Kei Igawa Statistics". Minor League Baseball. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=506432. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  52. ^ "Mike Nakamura Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nakammi01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  53. ^ "Nakamura, Micheal". Nippon Professional Baseball. http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/players/11415110.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  54. ^ "Masumi Kuwata Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kuwatma01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  55. ^ a b "Kosuke Fukudome Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fukudko01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  56. ^ "Kazuo Fukumori Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fukumka01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  57. ^ "Fukumori, Kazuo". Nippon Professional Baseball. http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/players/41943880.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  58. ^ "Masahide Kobayashi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kobayma01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  59. ^ "Hiroki Kuroda Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kurodhi01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  60. ^ "Yasuhiko Yabuta Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yabutya01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  61. ^ "Kenshin Kawakami Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kawakke01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  62. ^ "Ken Takahashi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/takahke01.shtml. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  63. ^ Hubbuch, Bart (December 17, 2009). "Mets Land Igarashi". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/mets_land_igarashi_NXOuMFCrfFt33Vh5WBuWHO. Retrieved December 17, 2009. 
  64. ^ "Ryohei Shimabukuro Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=shimab001ryo. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  65. ^ "Ikko Sumi Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=sumi--001ikk. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  66. ^ "Robert Boothe Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=boothe001rob. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  67. ^ "Fumimasa Ishibashi Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=ishiba001fum. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  68. ^ "Kenta Suda Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=suda--001ken. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  69. ^ "Ryohei Tanaka Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=tanaka001ryo. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  70. ^ "Ryohei Tanaka Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=tanaka001ryo. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 
  71. ^ "Braves sign teen pitcher for minors". The Japan Times. January 27, 2009. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sb20090127a2.html. Retrieved November 5, 2009. 

References

External links

Major League Baseball players by national origin