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Wally Yonamine: The Man Who Changed
Japanese Baseball
by Robert K. Fitts
University of Nebraska Press
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"The way that Fitts brings
history alive in this book is gripping ... [It] makes you feel as though
you were there in the stands." - JapaneseBaseball.com
"An outstanding book" - Japanese
Baseball Cards
An "excellent book" - The Japan
Times
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ORDER NOW On Line (from RobsJapaneseCards)
or by telephone at 212-828-6678
Author Signed Copies $24.95 ($26.95 list price)
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Often called the
Nisei Jackie Robinson, Wally Yonamine was the first ethnic Japanese to
play professional football in the United States and the first American
to play professional baseball in Japan after World War II. In both
environments, the young Hawaiian had to adapt to unfamiliar cultures and
overcome prejudice against his Japanese-American ancestry.
Wally Yonamine
was born in 1925 on a Maui sugar plantation to poor Japanese
immigrants. His success on the gridiron allowed him to escape the
plantation and eventually sign with the San Francisco 49ers in 1947.
After an injury ended his football career, Yonamine turned to baseball.
In 1951, the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants chose him to become the first American
to play in Japan during the Allied occupation. Yonamine adopted his
football skills to baseball and played hard--stealing bases, sliding
hard, and knocking down opponents. The Japanese were aghast at the
aggressive American. Opposing fans hurled insults and rocks at him, but
he quickly became one of the most dominant players in the league. His
success changed the way the Japanese played the game, and opened the
door for other Americans to come to Japan. Although it was often
trying, Yonamine adapted to Japanese culture and stayed in Japan as a
player, coach, and manager for 37 years. He was elected to the Japanese
Hall of Fame in 1994. Now, at 80 years-old, Yonamine’s friendly and
down-to-earth personality make him a role model in both Hawaii and
Japan. He has been decorated for his contributions in American and
Japanese foreign relations by the Emperor of Japan and is involved in a
variety of charitable organizations.
“Wally Yonamine is one of the most important
figures in the long, rich history of baseball in Japan. His
life story, from the rustic schoolyards of prewar Maui to
modern-day state-of-the-art Tokyo stadiums, is filled with
drama and color. Author Rob Fitts has done us all this favor
with his richly detailed, thoroughly researched, and
heartfelt work.”Robert Whiting,
author of You Gotta Have Wa and
The Samurai Way of Baseball
“This book is much more than a smart
biography of Wally Yonamine, the first American to play
professional baseball in Japan; it is also a fascinating
account of the game and culture of the Japanese national
pastime.”George Gmelch,
author of Baseball without Borders:
The International Pastime
“For over fifty years, Wally Yonamine has
been an important bridge between Japanese and American
baseball. He brought a new, exciting style of play to Japan
and taught us the finer points of the game. I am glad that
Americans can finally learn about Wally''s contributions
through this outstanding biography.”
Hideki Matsui, NY Yankees outfielder
View Table of Contents
Read an Excerpt
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