OAKLAND, Calif. — On June 28, three New York Yankees of Asian Pacific Islander heritage contributed to a history-making night at the Oakland Coliseum. Catcher Kyle Higashioka and super utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa — both of Japanese descent — and Filipino American shortstop Anthony Volpe helped New York starting pitcher Domingo German earn the 24th perfect […]
Japanese knuckleball pitcher Eri Yoshida plays on her own ‘Field of Dreams’
June 22, 2023 by Leave a Comment
OYAMA, Japan — Eri Yoshida sat in the dugout of an all-dirt baseball field in rural Japan, surrounded by rice paddies, narrow roads, and traditional Japanese houses. The scene recalled instantly the 1989 film “Field of Dreams” — Asian style — and Yoshida certainly has her own. The 31-year-old Japanese woman is a knuckleball pitcher […]
Giants honor Japanese legacy on Japanese Heritage Night
May 25, 2023 by Leave a Comment
On May 16, hundreds of baseball fans arrived early to the San Francisco Giants game to enjoy Japanese Heritage Night at Oracle Park. The Giants organization hosted the annual event in partnership with the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California. This year the San Francisco Giants recognized the 120th anniversary of the 1903 […]
Giants to celebrate Fuji Athletic Club on Japanese Heritage Night
May 11, 2023 by Leave a Comment
As part of their annual Japanese Heritage Night on May 16, the San Francisco Giants will honor the history of Nikkei baseball with a nod to the Fuji Athletic Club, one of the first Japanese American teams that played in the city during the early 1900s. The Fuji Athletic Club was founded by Chiura Obata, […]
Nootbaar still basking in afterglow of amazing World Baseball Classic
May 11, 2023 by Leave a Comment
OAKLAND, Calif. — Lars Nootbaar had a truly one-of-a-kind experience in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. As the sole American on Team Japan, the outfielder batted lead-off for a lineup that tore through the tournament, first in Tokyo and then in Miami. The Southern California native hit .269, helping Japan remain undefeated in seven games, […]
A’s move Japanese rookie Fujinami to bullpen
April 27, 2023 by Leave a Comment
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Oakland Athletics rookie pitcher Shintaro Fujinami is being moved to the bullpen after struggling in his first four major league starts. A’s manager Mark Kotsay said before the April 24 game against the Los Angeles Angels that the Japanese right-hander would be available for relief duty starting April 25. Fujinami is 0-4 […]
Ohtani smashes HR during Nichi Bei Day with the A’s
April 13, 2023 by Leave a Comment
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Nichi Bei Foundation held their “Nichi Bei Day with the A’s” fundraiser as the Oakland Athletics played against 2021 American League MVP Shohei Ohtani and the visiting Los Angeles Angels April 2. The 950 attendees who purchased tickets through the nonprofit received a T-shirt with rookie Oakland Athletics pitcher Shintaro Fujinami’s […]
Japanese beating Americans in baseball is must-see viewing
March 30, 2023 by Leave a Comment
TOKYO — Japanese television stuck to its live coverage from Miami for almost two hours after Japan defeated the United States 3-2 to win the World Baseball Classic. This was must see viewing — over and over and over. Shohei Ohtani striking out Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout on a pitch away to end […]
Pitcher Roki Sasaki is the next ‘big thing’ from Japanese baseball
March 16, 2023 by 1 Comment
TOKYO — In Japan they call pitcher Roki Sasaki the “Monster of the Reiwa Era,” which translates roughly into a “once-in-a-generation superstar.” In simple English, Sasaki is likely to be the next big thing out of Japan following Shohei Ohtani, who debuted five years ago with the Los Angeles Angels. “He’s got velocity, and his […]
Kwan proudly represents his Japanese heritage … just not in the World Baseball Classic
January 19, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Steven Kwan exploded onto the Major League Baseball landscape last April, sparking national headlines in his dazzling debut with the Cleveland Guardians. In a feat accomplished by no other player since 1901, he reached base 15 times in his first four games, good for a scorching .692 batting average. Striding toward pitchers from the lefty […]
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