Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame

Professional sports hall of fame in Tokyo, Japan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (野球体育博物館, Yakyū Taiiku Hakubutsukan), commonly known outside of Japan as the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, is a hall of fame and museum in Tokyo dedicated to professional baseball, with a prominent focus on professional baseball in Japan. The Hall is intended to honor and commemorate inducted players, executives, umpires, and other individuals who developed and/or made a significant impact towards the sport of baseball in Japan.

Established1959
LocationTokyo Dome, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates35.705658°N 139.751914°E / 35.705658; 139.751914
TypeProfessional sports hall of fame
Quick facts Established, Location ...
Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
野球殿堂
Established1959
LocationTokyo Dome, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates35.705658°N 139.751914°E / 35.705658; 139.751914
TypeProfessional sports hall of fame
DirectorNorio Ichino
Websitebaseball-museum.or.jp (in Japanese)
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History

The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame was established in 1959. They inducted nine members in the first class. It was originally located next door to Korakuen Stadium, then-home for the Tokyo Giants and Kokutetsu Swallows of the Central League and the Mainichi Orions of the Pacific League. Following the closure of Korakuen Stadium in 1988, the Hall moved to its current location within the Tokyo Dome, the stadium built as Korakuen's successor and the Giants' subsequent home.

Individuals are primarily inducted as members of the Japanese Baseball Hall after gaining at least 75% of votes on a ballot of players or expert voters. The Hall's special committee is also able to elect and induct other individuals deemed to have a notable connection to the sport, such as composer Yuji Koseki, who was inducted in 2023 for his creation of the Hanshin Tigers cheer song "Rokko Oroshi."[1][2][3]

The museum

The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame's museum depicts numerous artifacts and moments from Japanese baseball history, ranging from uniforms of each team, that has played in the Central and Pacific Leagues, in addition to American baseball memorabilia, such as that of Ken Griffey Jr. and Babe Ruth. The uniform of Sadaharu Oh alongside the home run bats and balls in his career, most notably the bat for his 800th home run, are also on display.[4]

As of 2024, days of operation for the museum were Tuesday through Sunday (except for December 29-January 1) for most weeks, with Mondays only being open during spring and summer school vacations, national holidays that fell on the day or games when the Yomiuri Giants play at the Tokyo Dome. Operating hours are 10am until 5pm, with Giants games extending the time to 6pm. Admission costs are 600 yen per adult, 400 yen for students over 15, 200 yen for students 15 or under and 400 yen for people aged 65 or older.[5]

Key

Inside the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame
PPitcher
CCatcher
1BFirst baseman
2BSecond baseman
3BThird baseman
SSShortstop
LFLeft fielder
CFCenter fielder
RFRight fielder
DHDesignated hitter

List of inductees

Matsutarō Shōriki was the first inductee into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1959.
Eiji Sawamura was the first player in the Japanese Baseball League / Nippon Professional Baseball era to be inducted in 1959
More information #, Year ...
Overview of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame
# Year Induction method Name Place of Birth Achievements Ref.
11959SpecialMatsutaro ShorikiToyama PrefecturePopularized professional baseball in Japan; owner of Yomiuri Shimbun that organized a Japanese baseball All-Star team in 1934 to face an American All-Star team; went professional with his group that eventually became known as the Yomiuri Giants; chairman of the board of directors of the Japan Baseball Federation; Matsutaro Shoriki Award named in his honor in 1977 for contributions to baseball[6]
2SpecialHiraoka HiroshiTokyoFounder of the first all-Japanese club with Shinbashi Athletic Club in 1878.[7][8]
3SpecialYokio AoiTochigi PrefectureTop pitcher for Daiichi High School baseball team in 1896, later coached amateur players while translating baseball rules into Japanese[9]
4SpecialAbe IsooFukuoka Prefecture"Father of Japanese baseball"; founded baseball club at Waseda University in 1901[10]
5SpecialShin HashidoTokyoStar captain of Waseda University baseball team in 1900s; planned and promoted Intercity baseball tournament[11]
6SpecialKiyoshi OshikawaMiyagi PrefectureStar player at Waseba University in 1900s before participating in first tour of the U.S. by Japanese team in 1905; founded professional team with Nihon Athletic Association in 1920[12]
7SpecialJiro KujiIwate PrefectureStar pitcher at Waseda University; played for team of Japanese star players in 1934 Japan Tour versus American talent[13][14]
8SpecialEiji SawamuraMie PrefectureStar pitcher for Tokyo Kyojin (1936–1937, 1940–1941, 1943) who pitched three no-hitters (the first in the Japanese Baseball League), was named first MVP of the league in 1937 spring season; killed in action in 1944 at the age of 27; award named in his honor since 1947 for best pitcher in Japanese baseball[15]
9SpecialMichimaro OnoKanagawa PrefectureStar for Keio University, Mita Club, and Osaka Mainichi Baseball Team; first Japanese pitcher to defeat a team of American All-Stars on November 19, 1922 before becoming a sports reporter in his later years[16][17]
101960CompetitorsVictor StarffinNizhny Tagil, Russian EmpireStar pitcher for Tokyo Kyojin (1934–1944), Pacific/Taiyo Robins (1946–1947), Kinsei / Daiei Stars (1948–1953), Takahashi / Tombow Unions (1954–1955); 2-time JBL MVP (1939, 1940), won a league record 42 games in 1939; career record of 303–176 with a record 83 shutouts made him first 300-game winner in Japanese baseball[18]
11SpecialAtsushi KonoNagano PrefectureStar pitcher at Waseda University in early 1900s that served as pioneer to modern pitching techniques[19]
12SpecialYaichiro SakuraiIbaraki PrefectureStar pitcher and slugger at Keio University that served as president of the Mita Club[20]
13SpecialChujun TobitaIshikawa PrefectureSecond baseman and coach for Waseda University that also served as influential presence in amateur baseball as writer and columnist[21][22]
141962CompetitorsYutaka IkedaTokyo[23]
15SpecialTadao IchiokaNagano Prefecture[24]
161963CompetitorsHaruyasu NakajimaNagano Prefecture[25]
171964CompetitorsTadashi WakabayashiWahiawa, Hawaii Territory[26]
18SpecialKiyoshi MiyaharaNagano Prefecture[27]
191965CompetitorsTetsuharu KawakamiKumamoto Prefecture[28]
20CompetitorsKazuto TsuruokaHiroshima Prefecture[29]
21SpecialNobori InoueChiba Prefecture[30]
22SpecialSaburo MiyatakeKagawa Prefecture[31]
23SpecialMasaru KageuraEhime Prefecture[32]
241966SpecialTsunetaro MoriyamaTokyo[33]
251967SpecialHisashi KoshimotoHawaiiHead coach of Keidai University that won seven Tokyo Big6 Baseball League championships[34]
261968SpecialSotaro SuzukiGunma Prefecture[35]
27SpecialMunehide TanabeYamanashi Prefecture[36]
28SpecialIchizō KobayashiYamanashi Prefecture[37]
291969CompetitorsHisanori KaritaKanagawa Prefecture[38]
30SpecialDaisuke MiyakeTokyo[39]
31SpecialTakeo TabeHiroshima Prefecture[40]
32SpecialJiro MoriokaNara Prefecture[41]
33SpecialZensuke ShimadaTochigi Prefecture[42]
34SpecialYoriyasu ArimaTokyo[43]
351970CompetitorsShunichi AmachiHyogo Prefecture[44]
36CompetitorsNobuaki NidegawaHyogo Prefecture[45]
37SpecialKomajiro TamuraOsaka Prefecture[46]
38SpecialMatsutaro NaokiKyoto Prefecture[47]
39SpecialKanoe ChumaKagoshima Prefecture[48]
401971SpecialTokuro KonishiTokyo[49]
41SpecialRihachi MizunoGifu Prefecture[50]
421972CompetitorsShuichi IshimotoHiroshima Prefecture[51]
43SpecialTakeji NakanoTokyo[52]
44SpecialShigeru OhtaKagawa Prefecture[53]
451973SpecialKohzo UtsumiKanagawa Prefecture[54]
46SpecialTeiyu AmanoKanagawa Prefecture[55]
47SpecialKenzo HiroseAichi Prefecture[56]
481974CompetitorsSadayoshi FujimotoHiroshima Prefecture[57]
49CompetitorsFumio FujimuraEhime Prefecture[58]
50SpecialSeizo NodaHyogo Prefecture[59]
511976CompetitorsHideo FujimotoBusan, Korea[60]
52SpecialShinzo KoizumiTokyo[61]
531977CompetitorsShigeru MizuharaKagawa Prefecture[62]
54CompetitorsMichio NishizawaTokyo[63]
55SpecialShigeo MoriEhime Prefecture[64]
56SpecialYukio NishimuraMie Prefecture[65]
571978CompetitorsKenjiro MatsukiFukui Prefecture[66]
58CompetitorsShinji HamazakiHiroshima Prefecture[67]
59SpecialYasuhiro ItamiKagawa Prefecture[68]
60SpecialMasaki YoshiharaKumamoto Prefecture[69]
61SpecialOkada GenzaburoTokyo[70]
621979CompetitorsTakehiko BesshoHyogo Prefecture[71]
63SpecialRyozo HiranumaKanagawa Prefecture[72]
64SpecialGoro TaniguchiSaga Prefecture[73]
651980CompetitorsHiroshi OhshitaHyogo Prefecture[74]
66CompetitorsMakoto KozuruFukuoka Prefecture[75]
67SpecialShigeru ChibaEhime Prefecture[76]
681981CompetitorsTokuji IidaKanagawa Prefecture[77]
69CompetitorsYoshiyuki IwamotoHiroshima Prefecture[78]
70SpecialTatsuo SaekiHyogo Prefecture[79]
71SpecialShotaro OgawaWakayama Prefecture[80]
721982SpecialRyuji SuzukiTokyo[81]
73SpecialMojuro TonookaShizuoka Prefecture[82]
741983CompetitorsOsamu MiharaKagawa Prefecture[83]
75SpecialUchimura YushiTokyo[84]
761984SpecialShinji KiriharaOsaka Prefecture[85]
771985CompetitorsShigeru SugishitaTokyo[86]
78CompetitorsKatsumi ShiraishiEhime Prefecture[87]
79CompetitorsAtsushi AramakiOita Prefecture[88]
80SpecialKatsuo TanakaOsaka Prefecture[89]
81SpecialIkushi YamanouchiShimane Prefecture[90]
821986SpecialMiyoshi NakagawaTottori Prefecture[91]
83SpecialMasao MatsukataKagoshima Prefecture[92]
841987SpecialNobuo FujitaTianjin, ChinaManager of Hosei University baseball team that won Tokyo Big6 Baseball League four times[93]
851987SpecialMinoru YamashitaHyogo PrefectureStar slugger at Keio University; played professional baseball for Hankyu (1936-194), Nagoya (1942) before becoming umpire[94]
861988CompetitorsShigeo NagashimaChiba PrefectureThird baseman for Yomiuri Giants (1958–1974); 444 HR, 2,471 hits, 1,522 RBIs as player; named to the Best Nine Award in all 17 seasons played, five-time Central League MVP, 4-time Japan Series MVP, CL Rookie of the Year, 11-time Japan Series champion[95]
87CompetitorsKaoru BettoOsaka Prefecture[96]
88CompetitorsYukio NishimotoWakayama Prefecture[97]
89CompetitorsMasaichi KanedaAichi Prefecture[98]
90SpecialSaburo YokozawaTaipei, Taiwan[99]
91SpecialTakeo AkutaHyogo Prefecture[100]
92SpecialMasaichi NagataKyoto Prefecture[101]
931989CompetitorsHidenosuke ShimaHyogo Prefecture[102]
94CompetitorsKatsuya NomuraKyoto PrefectureCatcher for Nankai Hawks (1954–1977), Lotte Orions (1978), Seibu Lions (1979–1980); 2,901 hits, 657 HR, 1,988 RBIs, .277 BA; five-time Pacific League MVP, 19-time Best Nine Award, 9-time PL home run leader, 1965 Triple Crown, 2-time Japan Series champion[103]
95CompetitorsJiro NoguchiAichi Prefecture[104]
96SpecialTsuneo IkedaNiigata PrefectureWriter and chief editor for Baseball World in the 1930s before establishing Baseball Magazine (BBM) in 1940s[105][106]
97SpecialMasao DateOsaka Prefecture[107]
981990CompetitorsJuzo SanadaWakayama Prefecture[108]
99CompetitorsIsao HarimotoHiroshima Prefecture[109]
100SpecialIsamu SaekiEhime Prefecture[110]
1011991CompetitorsShigeru MakinoKagawa Prefecture[111]
102CompetitorsOsamu TsutsuiKagawa Prefecture[112]
103CompetitorsKichiro ShimaokaNagano Prefecture[113]
104SpecialYoshio NakazawaTokyo[114]
1051992CompetitorsTatsuro HirookaHiroshima Prefecture[115]
106CompetitorsTsubouchi MichinoriEhime Prefecture[116]
107CompetitorsYoshio YoshidaKyoto Prefecture[117]
108SpecialMasao YoshidaAichi PrefectureStar pitcher in the National High School Baseball Championship between 1931 and 1933 that won 14 stragiht games at Koshien Stadium; first (and only) pitcher to win three consecutive championships; later served as outfielder at Meiji University, amateur pitcher for Fujikura Electric Wire and then sports reporter[118]
1091993CompetitorsKazuhisa InaoOita Prefecture[119]
110CompetitorsMinoru MurayamaHyogo Prefecture[120]
1111994CompetitorsSadaharu OhTokyoPlayer for Yomiuri Giants (1959–1980); hit world record 868 home runs to go with NPB record for OPS (1.079) and runs (2,170); won Central League MVP nine times, Best Nine Award at first base 18 times; 11-time Japan Series champion[121]
112CompetitorsWally YonamineOlowalu, Hawaii TerritoryOutfielder for Yomiuri Giants (1951–1960), Chunichi Dragons (1961–1962) who hit .311; Central League MVP (1957), 8-time All-Star (1952-1959), 7-time Best Nine Award (1952-1958), 4-time Japan Series champion (1951, 1952, 1953, 1955)[122]
113SpecialTomoo HirookaOsaka Prefecture[123]
1141995CompetitorsTadashi SugiuraAichi Prefecture[124]
115CompetitorsTokichiro IshiiIbaraki Prefecture[125]
116SpecialShosei GoTainan City, Taiwan[126]
117SpecialMinoru MurakamiOsaka Prefecture[127]
1181996CompetitorsMotoshi FujitaEhime Prefecture[128]
119CompetitorsSachio KinugasaKyoto Prefecture[129]
120SpecialNaotaka MakinoKagoshima Prefecture[130]
121SpecialMakoto HosakaManchuria, China[131]
1221997CompetitorsKatsuo OsugiOkayama Prefecture[132]
123SpecialEiichiro YamamotoOkayama Prefecture[133]
1241998SpecialHiroshi NakaoMie Prefecture[134]
125SpecialShinjiro IguchiWakayama Prefecture[135]
1261999CompetitorsFutoshi NakanishiKagawa Prefecture[136]
127CompetitorsYoshinori HiroseHiroshima Prefecture[137]
128CompetitorsTakeshi KobaKumamoto Prefecture[138]
129CompetitorsSadao KondohAichi Prefecture[139]
130SpecialIchiro YoshikuniKanagawa PrefectureCommissioner of Nippon Professional Baseball from 1989 to 1998[140]
1312000CompetitorsShintaro FukushimaTottori Prefecture[141]
132SpecialTetsuya YonedaTokyo[142]
1332001CompetitorsRikuo NemotoIbaraki Prefecture[143]
134CompetitorsMasaaki KoyamaHyogo Prefecture[144]
135SpecialTsutomu TakedaHiroshima Prefecture[145]
136SpecialRyohei HasegawaAichi Prefecture[146]
1372002CompetitorsKazuhiro YamauchiAichi Prefecture[147]
138CompetitorsKeishi SuzukiHyogo Prefecture[148]
139CompetitorsYutaka FukumotoOsaka Prefecture[149]
140CompetitorsKenjiro TamiyaIbaraki Prefecture[150]
141SpecialFujio NakazawaShiga Prefecture[151]
142New Century CommitteeIkuhara AkihiroFukuoka Prefecture[152]
143New Century CommitteeLefty O'DoulCalifornia, U.S.Served as goodwill ambassador for baseball that spread its popularity in Japan[153]
144SpecialMasaoka ShikiEhime Prefecture[154]
1452003CompetitorsToshiharu UedaTokushima Prefecture[155]
146CompetitorsJunzo SekineTokyo[156]
147SpecialKohei MatsudaHiroshima Prefecture[157]
148New Century CommitteeHorace WilsonGoram, Maine, U.S.Often called one of people credited with introducing the sport of baseball to Japan in 1870s[158]
149SpecialSakae SuzukaKyoto Prefecture[159]
1502004CompetitorsAkira OhgiFukuoka Prefecture[160]
151SpecialNoboru AkiyamaOkayama Prefecture[161]
1522005CompetitorsChoji MurataHiroshima Prefecture[162]
153CompetitorsMasaaki MoriGifu Prefecture[163]
154SpecialMasayori ShimuraTokyo Prefecture[164]
1552006CompetitorsHiromitsu KadotaYamaguchi Prefecture[165]
156CompetitorsMorimichi TakagiAichi Prefecture[166]
157CompetitorsHisashi YamadaAkita Prefecture[167]
158SpecialHiromori KawashimaFukushima PrefectureCommissioner of Nippon Professional Baseball from 1998 to 2004; signed agreement with Major League Baseball for "posting system" involving players wishing to negotiate between leagues[168]
159SpecialYasumitsu ToyodaIbaraki Prefecture[169]
1602007CompetitorsTakao KajimotoTajimi City, Gifu Prefecture[170]
161SpecialReiichi MatsunakaKitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture[171]
1622008CompetitorsTsuneo HoriuchiHiroshima Prefecture[172]
163CompetitorsSeiichi ShimaYamanashi Prefecture[173]
164SpecialKoji YamamotoWakayama Prefecture[174]
1652009CompetitorsTsutomu WakamatsuHokkaido[175]
166CompetitorsNoboru AotaHyogo Prefecture[176]
167SpecialIchiro KimishimaKagawa Prefecture[177]
168SpecialYoshinori OkosoTochigi Prefecture[178]
1692010CompetitorsOsamu HigashioWakayama Prefecture[179]
170CompetitorsShinichi EtoKumamoto Prefecture[180]
171SpecialMasayuki FurutaKumamoto Prefecture[181]
1722011CompetitorsHiromitsu OchiaiAkita PrefectureInfielder/Outfielder for Lotte Orions (1979–1986), Chunichi Dragons (1987–1993), Yomiuri Giants (1994–1996), Nippon-Ham Fighters (1997–1998)
510 HR, .311 BA, 2,371 hits, 1,564 RBI; 2-time Pacific League MVP (1982, 1985); won Best Nine Award ten times, winning ones at first base, second base, and third base; only Japanese player with three batting Triple Crowns; Japan Series champion as player (1994) and manager (2007)		[182]
173CompetitorsMutsuo MinagawaYamagata Prefecture[183]
1742012CompetitorsTsunemi TsudaKagoshima Prefecture[184]
175CompetitorsManabu KitabeppuYamaguchi Prefecture[185]
176SpecialKiro OsafuneOkayama Prefecture[186]
177SpecialOsamu OmotoOkayama Prefecture[187]
1782013CompetitorsYutaka OhnoShimane Prefecture[188]
179CompetitorsYoshiro SotokobaKagoshima Prefecture[189]
180SpecialKazuo FukushimaFukuoka Prefecture[190]
1812014CompetitorsKoji AkiyamaOsaka Prefecture[191]
182CompetitorsHideo NomoKumamoto Prefecture[192]
183CompetitorsKazuhiro SasakiMiyagi Prefecture[193]
184SpecialChoichi AidaHokkaido[194]
1852015CompetitorsAtsuya FurutaHyogo Prefecture[195]
186SpecialKazuo HayashiTokyo[196]
187SpecialRyohei MurayamaMie Prefecture[197]
1882016CompetitorsMasaki SaitoSaitama Prefecture[198]
189CompetitorsKimiyasu KudōAichi Prefecture[199]
190CompetitorsKihachi EnomotoTokyo[200]
191SpecialTakizo MatsumotoHiroshima Prefecture[201]
192SpecialMasatake YamanakaOita Prefecture[202]
1932017CompetitorsTsutomu ItōKumamoto Prefecture[203]
194CompetitorsMasaji HiramatsuOkayama Prefecture[204]
195CompetitorsSenichi HoshinoOkayama Prefecture[205]
196SpecialHiroshi GoshiHokkaido[206]
197SpecialMirei SuzukiHyogo Prefecture[207]
1982018CompetitorsHideki MatsuiIshikawa Prefecture[208][209]
199CompetitorsTomoaki KanemotoHiroshima Prefecture[210]
200CompetitorsTatsunori HaraKanagawa Prefecture[211]
201SpecialMasao TakiAichi Prefecture[212]
2022019CompetitorsKazuyoshi TatsunamiOsaka Prefecture[213]
203CompetitorsHiroshi GondohSaga Prefecture[214]
204SpecialHaruo WakimuraTokyoformer chairman of the Japan High School Baseball Federation[215][216]
2052020CompetitorsKōichi TabuchiTokyoStar player for Hanshin Tigers (1969–1978) and Seibu Lions (1979–1984) who hit 474 home runs; 2-time Japan Series champion (1982, 1983), 5-time Best Nine Award (1972-1976)[217]
206SpecialYukichi MaedaKochi PrefectureKeio University coach (1960-1965, 1982-1993), Secretary General of Baseball Federation of Asia (1997-2006); three-time champion of Tokyo Big 6 League as player[218][219]
207SpecialRenzo IshiiIbaraki PrefectureLongtime coach of Waseda University baseball; Active proponent of international baseball, most notably with Japan-USA Collegiate Baseball Championship Series[220][221]
2082021SpecialKatsuji KawashimaTochigi Prefecture[222]
209SpecialKazuo SayamaWakayama PrefectureBaseball historian and author of articles and books on baseball history[223][224]
2102022CompetitorsMasa YamamotoHiroshima Prefecture[225]
211CompetitorsShingo TakatsuKanagawa Prefecture[226]
212SpecialShigeyoshi MatsumaeKumamoto PrefectureChairman of Tokyo Metropolitan Area University Baseball League, active proponent of baseball being played at the 1988 Summer Olympics[227]
2132023CompetitorsAlex RamírezVenezuela[228]
214CompetitorsRandy BassOklahoma, U.S.Hanshin Tigers (1983–1988); 2x Japanese Triple Crown (1985, 1986), Central League MVP (1985), Japan Series champion (1985), 3x Best Nine Award (1985–1987); his .389 season in 1986 remains the NPB record for one season[229]
215SpecialYuji KosekiFukushima Prefecture[230]
2162024CompetitorsHiroki KurodaHiroshima Prefecture[231]
217CompetitorsMotonobu TanishigeOsaka Prefecture[232]
218SpecialTomoichi TanimuraNew York, U.S.Umpire for 3,026 games in the Central League, which included umpiring the Japan Series eleven times[233]
2192025CompetitorsIchiro SuzukiAichi PrefectureOrix Blue Wave (1992–2000), Seattle Mariners (2001–2012), New York Yankees (2012–2014), Miami Marlins (2015–2017), Seattle Mariners (2018–2019)
17-time combined All-Star (7 NPB, 10 MLB), 17-time combined Gold Glove (7 NPB, 10 MLB), 7-time Best Nine Award, 3-time Silver Slugger Award, Matsutaro Shoriki Award (1994, 1995), 9-time batting champion (7 Pacific, 2 American); Japan Series champion (1996); 3-time Pacific League MVP; first Japanese player to have 4,000 professional career hits		[234]
220CompetitorsHitoki IwaseAichi Prefecture[235]
221CompetitorsMasayuki KakefuChiba Prefecture[236]
222SpecialHiroya TomizawaTokyoUmpire of Central League games for 35 years[237][238]
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