American expatriate baseball players in Japan information
American expatriate baseball players in Japan have been a feature of the Japanese professional leagues since 1934. American expatriate players began to steadily find spots on Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) rosters in the 1960s. More than 600 Americans have played NPB, although very few last more than a single season in Japan.
Many of the most celebrated American expatriate players came to Japan after not finding success in the Major Leagues. Major League Baseball (MLB) players, scouts, and sabermetricians describe play in the NPB as "AAAA"; less competitive than in MLB, but more competitive than in AAA minor league baseball,[1][2][3] which may explain the American expatriate players' success overseas. (see: "Big in Japan")
American players hold several NPB records, including highest career batting average (Leron Lee, .334), highest single season batting average (Randy Bass, .389), and the dubious record of most strikeouts in a season by a hitter (Ralph Bryant, 204). Americans rank #3 (Tuffy Rhodes, 55) and #5 (Randy Bass, 54) on the list of most home runs in a season, and #2 in single-season RBI (Bobby Rose, 153).
Since the 1970s, Americans have also made an impact in Nippon Professional Baseball's managing and coaching ranks, with Bobby Valentine and Trey Hillman managing their respective teams to Japan Series championships.
^"For Players and Agents RE: Playing Baseball in Japan". japanball.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
^Clemmons, Anna Katherine (2011-01-07). "Matt Murton thrives in Japanese setting". ESPN. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
^Lykos, Deana M. (June 2008). "Why are the Japanese Leagues Considered AAAA Baseball?". Asian Baseball Journal. 6 (2): 1–3.[permanent dead link]
and 21 Related for: American expatriate baseball players in Japan information
considered one of the greatest AmericanplayersinJapanesebaseball history, and was inducted into the JapaneseBaseball Hall of Fame in 2023. From 2005 to 2019...
an American former professional baseballplayer who played first base in the major leagues from 1995 to 2003, and in Nippon Professional Baseball from...
2, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit...
Dennis Kekich (born April 2, 1945) is an American former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers,...
an American actor, media personality and former professional baseball pitcher. Lesley was an especially imposing physical figure, standing 6 ft 6 in (1...
is an American former professional baseball designated hitter and first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). Fielder was a power hitter in the 1980s...
(born December 4, 1952) is an American former professional baseballplayer and manager, primarily known for his career inJapan. He played first base, third...
before retiring for good at the end of the 2009 season. AmericanexpatriatebaseballplayersinJapan Schmidt, Neil. "Land of the rising star". The Cincinnati...
Milledge (born April 5, 1985) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Washington...
an American professional baseball pitcher for the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB)...
Mahomes (born August 9, 1970) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball from 1992 to 2003 with the Minnesota...
25, 1974) is an American former baseball relief pitcher who played seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected in the first round (26th...
1940 – March 13, 2023) was an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees...
is an American retired professional baseballplayer. He played for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball for parts of two seasons, in 1969 and...
American former major league baseballplayer, coach, and manager. An infielder, he was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1962...
1942) is an American retired professional baseballplayer. He played in the major leagues for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros in 1963 and again in 1966–1967...
Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Japanese Pacific League. Brooks attended Clemson University. In 1987 he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers...
Michael Lewis Greenwell (born July 18, 1963) is an American former left fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played his entire MLB career with the...
September 16, 1960) is an American former professional baseballplayer and convicted sex offender. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1981 to 1992...
Global Information