2010 Hall Of Fame class

This past week the Japanese Baseball Hall Of Fame announced its latest inductees - Shinichi Etoh and Osamu Higashio were the two professional players inducted (amateur player and former college teammate of Shigeo Nagashime Masayuki Furuta was also inducted).

Shinichi Etoh had an 18 year career from 1959 to 1976 with the Dragons, Orions, Whales and Lions. He also managed the Lions (as player-manager in 1975, his sole year with the team). He was the first player to ever lead win the batting crown in both leagues and finished his career with 367 home runs and a .287 batting average.

1964 Marusan Menko:


2000 BBM 20th Century Best 9 #219:


2008 BBM Lotte 40th Anniversary #21:



Osamu Higashio had a 20 year career from 1969 to 1988, all with the Lions (Nishitetsu, Taiheiyo Club, Crown Lighter, and Seibu). He also managed the Lions from 1995 to 2001, winning the Pacific League pennant twice. He had a career record of 251-247 and an ERA of 3.50.

1987 Calbee #369:


1996 BBM #540:


2009 Premium Malts #05: