Masanori Murakami

Masanori Murakami
Birthdate 5/6/1944
Death Date
Debut Year 1964
Year of Induction
Teams Giants
Position Pitcher

Called “The Jackie Robinson of Japanese Baseball”, Masanori Murakami was the first Japanese-born man to play in a big league game.

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Masanori Murakami was the first Japanese-born big league player

Masanori Murakami was the first Japanese-born big league player

Masanori Murakami is a baseball pioneer remembered as the first Major League player born in Japan. Signed by the Nankai Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League in 1962 while in high school, Murakami was sent to the San Francisco Giants Single-A team in Fresno in 1964. Thought to be a short-term exchang
Masanori Murakami played at the highest level of Japanese baseball before and after his MLB stint

Masanori Murakami played at the highest level of Japanese baseball before and after his MLB stint

Before Masanori Murakami came to America he was a pitcher with the Nankai Hawks. Shown here is a photo of a teenage Murakami with his Hawks teammates. Taken in 1962 or 1963, this photo is boldly signed by the Murakami in the margins of the print. He has added
Mashi Murakami pitched two years for the San Francisco Giants

Mashi Murakami pitched two years for the San Francisco Giants

In the collection is a “1965 Rookie Stars” Topps card featuring the first Japanese-born Major Leaguer Mashi Murakami. During his big league career, Murakami pitched in 67 games for the Giants in 1964 and 1965. In 1964 he went 1-0 with a 1.80 earned run average while striking out 15 batte

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"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

~Jacques Barzun, 1954