Autographs related to Japanese and other international baseball players.
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Lars Nootbaar 2023 Japan WBC Champs Signed 8×10 photo (2 variations)
$87.00Choose from two options of glossy 8×10 photos, each personally autographed by Samurai Japan and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, Lars Nootbaar. Scroll down for product details.
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Matt Winters Autographed Nippon Ham Fighters Cards (3 variations)
$11.00 – $13.00After signing with the Nippon Ham Fighters in 1990, Winters quickly became the team’s best power hitter. He hit over 30 home runs in each of his first four seasons in NPB. While he was known for his clutch hitting, Winters also became a fan favorite for this lively personality. He would often be found dancing between innings and entertaining his teammates during delays in play. Winters retired after the 1994 season.
Choose from three different cards autographed by Winters; his 1991 NPB rookie card, 1993 BBM card, or his 1994 BBM card.
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Warren Cromartie Autographed 1986 Calbee Tokyo Yomiuri Giants Card with Beckett Authentication (BAS)
Original price was: $49.00.$39.00Current price is: $39.00.A first-round draft pick in 1973, Warren Cromartie shot straight to the major leagues, debuting with the Montreal Expos at age 20 one year later. He was a fixture in the Montreal lineup from 1977 to 1983, endearing himself to Expos fans for his charisma and excellent performance in the 1982 NLDS.
When he decided to go to Japan for the 1984 season at age 30, “Cro” became arguably the first American player to transfer to NPB in the middle of his prime. And what a brilliant move it was! Cromartie became a legend in Japan, leading the iconic Yomiuri Giants franchise to the 1989 Japan Series title after a Central League MVP season. With his competitive flare, clutch bat, and willingness to acclimate to the Japanese culture (including learning the language fluently), Cromartie is still revered by Giants fans.
His final NPB stats over seven seasons are the stuff of legend: batted over .300 five times, slugged 171 home runs, and led the team in home runs and batting twice and RBIs three times. He was a three-time Central League All-Star and “Best Nine” in addition to winning the 1989 MVP.
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Warren Cromartie Autographed 1990 Calbee Tokyo Yomiuri Giants Card with Beckett Authentication (BAS) Auto Grade 10
Original price was: $59.00.$49.00Current price is: $49.00.A first-round draft pick in 1973, Warren Cromartie shot straight to the major leagues, debuting with the Montreal Expos at age 20 one year later. He was a fixture in the Montreal lineup from 1977 to 1983, endearing himself to Expos fans for his charisma and excellent performance in the 1982 NLDS.
When he decided to go to Japan for the 1984 season at age 30, “Cro” became arguably the first American player to transfer to NPB in the middle of his prime. And what a brilliant move it was! Cromartie became a legend in Japan, leading the iconic Yomiuri Giants franchise to the 1989 Japan Series title after a Central League MVP season. With his competitive flare, clutch bat, and willingness to acclimate to the Japanese culture (including learning the language fluently), Cromartie is still revered by Giants fans.
His final NPB stats over seven seasons are the stuff of legend: batted over .300 five times, slugged 171 home runs, and led the team in home runs and batting twice and RBIs three times. He was a three-time Central League All-Star and “Best Nine” in addition to winning the 1989 MVP.
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Warren Cromartie Signed Yomiuri Giants Photo w/ “1989 Japan Series Champs”
Original price was: $44.00.$38.00Current price is: $38.00.A first-round draft pick in 1973, Warren Cromartie shot straight to the major leagues, debuting with the Montreal Expos at age 20 one year later. He was a fixture in the Montreal lineup from 1977 to 1983, endearing himself to Expos fans for his charisma and excellent performance in the 1982 NLDS.
When he decided to go to Japan for the 1984 season at age 30, “Cro” became arguably the first American player to transfer to NPB in the middle of his prime. And what a brilliant move it was! Cromartie became a legend in Japan, leading the iconic Yomiuri Giants franchise to the 1989 Japan Series title after a Central League MVP season. With his competitive flare, clutch bat, and willingness to acclimate to the Japanese culture (including learning the language fluently), Cromartie is still revered by Giants fans.
His final NPB stats over seven seasons are the stuff of legend: batted over .300 five times, slugged 171 home runs, and led the team in home runs and batting twice and RBIs three times. He was a three-time Central League All-Star and “Best Nine” in addition to winning the 1989 MVP.
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Wladimir Balentien Signed 4×6 Photo
Original price was: $16.00.$7.00Current price is: $7.00.Note: On January 22, Balentien announced that he would be leaving NPB. In recognition of his 11 seasons in Japan, we areย offering this piece at 11% off the original price!
This photo was autographed by NPB superstar Wladimir Balentien in 2005, when he was a rising 21-year-old in the Seattle Mariners organization, playing centerfield for the Inland Empire 66ers.ย NPB fans may be surprised to hear that the now-humongous “Coco” was a centerfielder back then, especially if they knew that he was on the same team as Adam Jones. Balentien, however, was an athletic young player with a cannon for an arm out of Curacao (he has represented the Netherlands in the Olympics and World Baseball Classic), and Jones was still playing shortstop.
Balentien made it to the big leagues at just 23 years old, but he never could quite stick over his three seasons with the Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. In 2011, he signed with NPB’s Tokyo Yakult Swallows, and the rest is history. Balentien is one of the best power hitters in NPB history, exemplified by his amazing 2013 season when he shattered Sadaharu Oh’s famed single-season home run record with 60 homers. Now with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Balentien expects to reach 300 NPB home runs in 2021.
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Masanori Murakami Signed Card
$27.00Baseball is a romantic game that lends itself to tradition and hero worship. The game’s many pioneers and legends are immortalized in halls of fame, books, and films. However, the tale of Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese MLB player, is not known well enough. Murakami’s story is one of adventure, under-the-table dealings, international conflict, and thrilling moments on the playing field.
When “Mashi” debuted for the San Francisco Giants in 1964, the 20-year-old lefty didn’t speak English or have a dedicated interpreter, which helped him ignore the racist taunts directed at him. He pitched well for the Giants, convincing them that he would be a steady contributor to their pitching staff. However, the Nankai Hawks, Murakami’s original team in Japan, felt that their young prospect was being stolen from them. Murakami became the focal point of a tug-of-war not just between the Hawks and the Giants but also between MLB and NPB.ย Murakami reluctantly returned to Japan, and the icy relations between the two leagues created a freeze of players coming from Japan to the U.S. until another brave, young hurler crossed the Pacific 30+ years later: Hideo Nomo.
Interested in learning more about Murakami’s story? Check out Rob Fitts’s excellent biography. Still not sure? Read our review of the book here. Want to know more about Asian baseball trailblazers? Read our article, “The Importance of Asian Americans in Baseball.”
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Bobby Valentine Hand-Painted and Autographed Oversized Cartoon
Original price was: $109.00.$69.00Current price is: $69.00.Hand-painted cartoon (approximately 16″x20″ on sturdy canvas board) autographed by Chiba Lotte Marines manager “Bobby V.” Bobby signed his name in both English and Japanese (Katakana).
Bobby Valentine Career Achievements:
- Manager for Chiba Lotte Marines for 7 seasons
- 2005 Japan Series champions
- 2005 Asia Series (Konami Cup) champion vs KBO, CPBL, CBL
- MLB Manager for 16 seasons
- Texas Rangers
- New York Mets (2000 National League champions)
- Boston Red Sox
- MLB player for 10 seasons
- 1968 1st Round Pick by Los Angeles Dodgers
- Manager for Chiba Lotte Marines for 7 seasons
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Bobby Valentine Signed 2005 Asia Series (Konami Cup) Official Program
Original price was: $44.00.$29.00Current price is: $29.00.2005 Konami Cup Asia Series official program, autographed by then Chiba Lotte Marines Manager Bobby Valentine. “Bobby V.” signed his name in English and Japanese (Katakana) and inscribed “2005 Champs” along with his autograph.
The Konami Cup was the inaugural tournament that pitted the champions of the four main professional Asian baseball leagues against each other to crown a true Asian champion. Following their Japan Series championship, Bobby Valentine guided the Chiba Lotte Marines to a victory over the winners of the leagues from South Korea (KBO), Taiwan (CPBL), and China (CBL).
Bobby Valentine Career Achievements:
- Manager for Chiba Lotte Marines for 7 seasons
- 2005 Japan Series champions
- 2005 Asia Series (Konami Cup) champion vs KBO, CPBL, CBL
- MLB Manager for 16 seasons
- Texas Rangers
- New York Mets (2000 National League champions)
- Boston Red Sox
- MLB player for 10 seasons
- 1968 1st Round Pick by Los Angeles Dodgers
- Manager for Chiba Lotte Marines for 7 seasons
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Bobby Valentine Signed Japanese Newspaper with Tsuyoshi Shinjo
Original price was: $48.00.$39.00Current price is: $39.00.This Japanese newspaper autographed by then Mets manager Bobby Valentine in English and Japanese (Katakana). The headline reads, “Shinjo will be the 3rd batter in starting lineup on opening day.” This edition is from the week that the Mets signed Shinjo to a Major League contract, making him and Ichiro Suzuki the first two Japanese-born position players in MLB.
Bobby Valentine Career Achievements:
- Manager for Chiba Lotte Marines for 7 seasons
- 2005 Japan Series champions
- 2005 Asia Series (Konami Cup) champion vs KBO, CPBL, CBL
- MLB Manager for 16 seasons
- Texas Rangers
- New York Mets (2000 National League champions)
- Boston Red Sox
- MLB player for 10 seasons
- 1968 1st Round Pick by Los Angeles Dodgers
- Manager for Chiba Lotte Marines for 7 seasons
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Bobby Valentine Signed Trading Cards – Chiba Lotte Marines & Texas Rangers
$4.00 – $6.00Bobby Valentine Career Achievements:
- Manager for Chiba Lotte Marines for 7 seasons
- 2005 Japan Series champions
- 2005 Asia Series (Konami Cup) champion vs KBO, CPBL, CBL
- MLB Manager for 16 seasons
- Texas Rangers
- New York Mets (2000 National League champions)
- Boston Red Sox
- MLB player for 10 seasons
- 1968 1st Round Pick by Los Angeles Dodgers
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page - Manager for Chiba Lotte Marines for 7 seasons
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Adam Jones Signed Orix Buffaloes Card
Original price was: $19.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.The photo inserted into this custom-made trading card was autographed by MLB and NPB (and Team USA!) superstar Adam Jones in 2005, when he was a budding 19-year-old in the Seattle Mariners organization, playing shortstop for the Inland Empire 66ers. MLB and NPB fans may be surprised to hear that he was playing shortstop at the time; he wasn’t moved to the outfield until later that year when the Mariners sent him to the Arizona Fall League to work on the new position.
Well, that sure worked out! Jones is one of the all-time greats in centerfield, with four Gold Gloves awards to prove it. He also was five times an American League All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles and won a Silver Slugger award in 2013. Many fans will always remember him for the catch he made with Team USA to lead the Americans to the 2017 World Baseball Classic title.
In December 2019, NPB’s Orix Buffaloes signed Jones to a two-year contract and he became an instant sensation in Japan.
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Jack Howell Signed Tokyo Yakult Swallows Card (2 variations)
$9.00 – $12.00Despite not being selected out of the University of Arizona in the 1983 MLB draft, Jack Howell was signed by the California Angels as an amateur free agent and quickly worked his way up the Angels system, making his Major League debut early in the 1985 season. He quickly established himself as a reliable and versatile player. From 1987-1989, he averaged 20 home runs per season.
Before the 1992 season, “Cactus Jack” signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows Nippon Professional Baseball. In 1992, he became the first foreigner to win MVP in his first season, when he led the league in home runs and batting average, and led the Swallows to the Japan Series, where they lost in seven games to the Seibu Lions.
In 1993, hit for the cycle and set an NPB record with five โsayonaraโ home runs, en route to another Japan Series, where this time they beat the Lions in seven games. Itโs safe to say that with the MVP season and clutch performances in the championship season, Jack is forever beloved by Swallows fans. He played on more season with the Swallows and then in 1995 played with the Yomiuri Giants. He returned to MLB and the Angels from 1996-1997, and Houston Astros from 1998-1999.
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Orestes Destrade Signed Seibu Lions NPB Card (1991 BBM)
$11.00At the age of six, Orestes Destrade and his family emigrated from Cuba to the United States in search of a better life. At the age of twenty-six, Orestes Destrade went to Japan in search of a better baseball career.
And what a decision he made! Destrade is one of the greatest switch-hitters in NPB history and forever endeared himself to Seibu Lions fans with his role in helping the team to three straight championships from 1990 to 1992. He is the only player to ever homer in his first series at-bat three years in a row! The clutch hitter was named MVP of the 1990 Japan Series.
In five seasons in Japan, Destrade was three times named “Best Nine” and led the Pacific League in home runs three times and RBIs twice.ย He was an All-Star in 1992.
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Tom O’Malley Signed Hanshin Tigers Card (1993 TOMY I.D.)
$13.00In six NPB seasons, Tom O’Malley hit over .300 six times (including leading the league once), was a Central League All-Star three times, won the All-Star game MVP, and won a Gold Glove at first base. He was MVP of both the 1995 Central League regular season and the 1995 Japan Series.ย He is one of the greatest and most beloved import players in NPB history.
O’Malley used a bat-control approach to shoot through the minor league ranks of the San Francisco Giants, earning a big league roster spot at age 21 in 1982 and then becoming the primary third baseman in 1983, when he had only 47 strikeouts against 52 walks. He bounced around after that, always performing well at AAA but never receiving enough playing time to get into a groove in the major leagues.
He finally became a regular after signing with the Hanshin Tigers for the 1991 season, and instantly become a fan-favorite of the Koshien faithful.
Four years in the black and gold made him a Tigers legend, but Tigers fans reluctantly had to say goodbye to him after the 1994 season, when he left for the Yakult Swallows. The Tigers apparently wanted more power from their first baseman, and O’Malley suddenly became a prodigious home run hitter, hitting 31 for the Swallows en route to earning Central League MVP. Even worse for the Tigers fans, O’Malley led the Swallows to the Japan Series title.ย He was now a Swallows legend too, and added to his legacy with another productive year in 1996.
O’Malley returned to the states and managed the Newark Bears before the Tigers asked him back to work with their hitters. He subsequently became a hitting coach and scout with the Tigers, much to the delight of Tigers fans who were happy to see him back with the franchise.
