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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. 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. 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.
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Es Con Field Hokkaido Ballpark Blueprint
$45.00 – $195.00Es Con Field Hokkaido is the newest and most modern ballpark in the NPB, it officially replaced the Sapporo Dome as the home of the Fighters in March 2023. The highlight of this state-of-the-art stadium is a massive glass wall beyond the outfield, which supports a traditional Hokkaido-style gable roof. Scroll down to read more.
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Es Con Field Hokkaido Ceramic Mug
$23.00 – $25.00Es Con Field Hokkaido is NPB’s newest and sleekest ballpark, officially replacing the Sapporo Dome as home of the Fighters in March 2023. The state-of-the-art ballpark’s showcase piece is a massive glass wall beyond the outfield wall that supports a traditional Hokkaido-style gable roof. Inspired by the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field, Es Con Field is NPB’s first foray into the suburban ballpark village concept; it is surrounded by 80 acres of green space and retail.
For more on this legendary ballpark, read our Es Con Field Hokkaido profile.
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Hanshin Koshien Stadium Ballpark Blueprint
$60.00 – $195.00Hanshin Koshien Stadium – one of baseball’s most legendary ballparks, right up there with the likes of Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field. It is one of few ballparks in the world still in use where Babe Ruth played; in fact, a monument to The Babe stands in the plaza outside of the ballpark.
Opened in 1924 to host Japan’s annual high school baseball championship, nearly 100 years late Koshien Stadium still hosts that event and, in doing so, temporarily kicks out its more frequent home team – NPB’s Hanshin Tigers. For an in-depth look at the Koshien high school championship tournament, read this first-hand experience or check out the amazing documentary by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
With ivy on its outside walls, one of the most raucous baseball fanbases in the world, and a team with a fascinating history, Koshien Stadium is a treasure. For more on this legendary ballpark, read our Koshien Stadium profile.
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Hanshin Koshien Stadium Ceramic Mug
$23.00 – $25.00Hanshin Koshien Stadium – one of baseball’s most legendary ballparks, right up there with Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. It is one of few ballparks in the world still in use where Babe Ruth played; in fact, a monument to The Babe stands in the plaza outside of the ballpark.
Opened in 1924 to host Japan’s annual high school baseball championship, Koshien Stadium still hosts Japan’s two premier annual high school tournaments and, in doing so, temporarily kicks out its more frequent home team – NPB’s Hanshin Tigers. For an in-depth look at the Koshien high school championship, read this first-hand experience or check out the amazing documentary by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
With ivy on its outside walls, one of the most raucous baseball fanbases in the world, and a team with a fascinating history, Koshien Stadium is a treasure. For more on this legendary ballpark, read our Koshien Stadium profile.
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Hanshin Koshien Stadium Hoodie
$58.00Hanshin Koshien Stadium – one of baseball’s most legendary ballparks, right up there with Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. It is one of few ballparks in the world still in use where Babe Ruth played; in fact, a monument to The Babe stands in the plaza outside of the ballpark.
Opened in 1924 to host Japan’s annual high school baseball championship, Koshien Stadium still hosts Japan’s two premier annual high school tournaments and, in doing so, temporarily kicks out its more frequent home team – NPB’s Hanshin Tigers. For an in-depth look at the Koshien high school championship, read this first-hand experience or check out the amazing documentary by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
With ivy on its outside walls, one of the most raucous baseball fanbases in the world, and a team with a fascinating history, Koshien Stadium is a treasure. For more on this legendary ballpark, read our Koshien Stadium profile.
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Hanshin Koshien Stadium Insulated Steel Travel Mug
$36.00Hanshin Koshien Stadium – one of baseball’s most legendary ballparks, right up there with Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. It is one of few ballparks in the world still in use where Babe Ruth played; in fact, a monument to The Babe stands in the plaza outside of the ballpark.
Opened in 1924 to host Japan’s annual high school baseball championship, Koshien Stadium still hosts Japan’s two premier annual high school tournaments and, in doing so, temporarily kicks out its more frequent home team – NPB’s Hanshin Tigers. For an in-depth look at the Koshien high school championship, read this first-hand experience or check out the amazing documentary by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
With ivy on its outside walls, one of the most raucous baseball fanbases in the world, and a team with a fascinating history, Koshien Stadium is a treasure. For more on this legendary ballpark, read our Koshien Stadium profile.
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Hanshin Koshien Stadium Sherpa Blanket
$75.00This heavenly-soft, 50×60 inch, fleece blanket depicts Hanshin Koshien Stadium – one of baseball’s most legendary ballparks, right up there with the likes of Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field. It is one of few ballparks in the world still in use where Babe Ruth played; in fact, a monument to The Babe stands in the plaza outside of the ballpark.
Opened in 1924 to host Japan’s annual high school baseball championship, nearly 100 years late Koshien Stadium still hosts that event and, in doing so, temporarily kicks out its more frequent home team – NPB’s Hanshin Tigers. For an in-depth look at the Koshien high school championship tournament, read this first-hand experience or check out the amazing documentary by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
With ivy on its outside walls, one of the most raucous baseball fanbases in the world, and a team with a fascinating history, Koshien Stadium is a treasure. For more on this legendary ballpark, read our Koshien Stadium profile.
To learn more about the NPB ballparks, check out our stadium profiles.
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Hanshin Koshien Stadium Unisex T-Shirt
$35.00Hanshin Koshien Stadium – one of baseball’s most legendary ballparks, right up there with Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. It is one of few ballparks in the world still in use where Babe Ruth played; in fact, a monument to The Babe stands in the plaza outside of the ballpark.
Opened in 1924 to host Japan’s annual high school baseball championship, Koshien Stadium still hosts Japan’s two premier annual high school tournaments and, in doing so, temporarily kicks out its more frequent home team – NPB’s Hanshin Tigers. For an in-depth look at the Koshien high school championship, read this first-hand experience or check out the amazing documentary by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
With ivy on its outside walls, one of the most raucous baseball fanbases in the world, and a team with a fascinating history, Koshien Stadium is a treasure. For more on this legendary ballpark, read our Koshien Stadium profile.