Elite Players of Japan?

This is a very good question, and one that is easier to answer historically than currently. The two personalities of Pro Yakyu that stand out, and are talked about year after year, were the O-N combination of Oh and Nagashima. "Kiroku to kioku" ("records and memory") is a phrase often used to contrast the two. Oh was all business on and off the field, while Nagashima was almost child-like. Oh put up tremendous numbers, but the fans loved the the Nagashima's playfulness.

I think what you're looking for, though, is another book like Rob Fitts' "Remembering Japanese Baseball." That put personalities on the names I'd read about, and some new names to me as well. I don't know if a second book is in the works or not, but as you explain, there really is a need for more of a connection between the fans and players, and such a book on current players would be fantastic.

Maybe I need to start picking up Pro Yakyu Ai, which appears to have more personal interviews with players, often in casual cloths, than Shukan Baseball. I must confess, though, reading Chiba-san's stats filled articles in ShuBe is a lot easier than reading interviews in Japanese. Furthermore, nothing gets printed without the ball club's permission, so using interviews will just give a filtered view of the players.

I guess we need to build up a better relationship with former players here and see what they have to say about some of the guys they've played with. Of course, depending on how some players/management take critisism, doing so on the record could jeopardize future chances of working with Japanese teams (as scouts or coaches), and I certainly don't want to do that. When former players have posted in the past, I've avoided losing my head with excitement and asking for interviews or such to avoid any awkwardness or obligations on their part. (Then again, maybe treating them like anyone else hurt their feelings?)

The more I think about it, though, the only way to get to know more personalities is by having someone in the dugout who's met these guys. All that's available to the public is what gets filtered through the ball club PR departments.

In keeping with the professional image, I'd like to hear replies about what the players are like without the tabloidish feel. The recently deceased Ohgi is a good example. He was remembered as the person who jump started many careers, most notably Nomo's and Ichiro's, and was well loved by everyone in baseball, as he was very social both on and off the field. Tabloids have provided more detail of his social life, but is that really necessary?

That's all I have time for now. This is an excellent topic for further exploration.

Of past players we also need to include Senichi Hoshino. A firey pitcher, he went on to manage Chunichi Dragons and then Hanshin Tigers. He retired from management in 2003 due to ill health, but joined Tigers' front office as Special Director. Since then he has carved himself a role of considerable importance in Japanese baseball and wields massive influence. Politically very astute, he is highly popular and revered. What is also interesting about Hoshino is that his short fuse is well known. People like him because of it.

Of current players, perhaps Kiyohara (now Orix Buffaloes) and Shinjo (Nippon Ham Fighters) are the most well known. Shinjo because of his self promotion which is different enough to be noticeable in the Japanese baseball world, and Kiyohara as a long lived slugger. In Kansai, the Tigers' players are so famous that it is difficult for some to go shopping without being stared at. The players I have met though have come across as being modest and unassuming people.

If there is scandal it is of a minor kind. There is considerable pressure on players to conform to a standard view of how they should behave and to set an example to children. This pressure is perhaps stronger than that in the U.S., and more pervasive. It is also increasing so that young players are even being heavily critisized for smoking.

Most Japanese baseball fans are respectful towards their players. However, Hanshin Tigers fans do barrack their players (whilst holding them in the highest regard) mercelessly. This is part of the Kansai/Osaka character which tends to be irreverant. I have not heard the same things from fans of other teams.

The Pacific League suffers from being the second division as far as coverage and interest is concerned. Fan figures are lower than the Central League, and despite having Shinjo and and Kiyohara, look set to continue that way.