Here is my All-Time Japan All-Star Team …
C Katsuya Nomura — In a 26-year career starting in 1954, Nomura hit 657 home runs, second all time. He had nine PL home run crowns, one Triple Crown and was a five-time Pacific League MVP. Stats tempered only by the fact he played in a tiny ballpark for most of his career. Suffered because P.L. games were rarely televised nationally, unlike the Yomiuri Giants whose games were telecast across the country nightly. He frequently complained about this. His frequent rival in home run races was Daryl Spencer, who once said of Nomura, “He stands there at the plate like a wet dishrag, then all of a sudden his bat flips out and the ball winds up in the stands.” His nickname was “Moose.” He was a playing manager for eight years beginning in 1970, but the team was managed by American Don Blasingame. In 1971 he divorced his first wife and married Sachiyo Ito, a divorcee, adopting her two children from her previous union with an American. One of them grew up to be famed player agent Don Nomura. Katsuya was dismissed in 1977 because of his wife’s interference in team affairs.
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