Alfonso Soriano
Toshiyuki Mimura was the manager back then, but I can't remember a thing about him off hand.
Robinson Checo is the only player I know of from then who defected to the Majors (Boston, I believe). I don't really pay attention to the foreign players after they leave Japan, so maybe you'll recognize some of the other names.
Hope this helps.
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I'm working on a project on Soriano's 2002 season. I know he played with Carp in 1996-97. I'm trying to find out who was on those teams then and who was the manager. Did he play with anyone then who's now in the bigs, etc? Any info is appreciated!