Japan Starting Nine
The Hall of Fame’s collection of more than 40,000 artifacts tells the stories of the game’s legendary players, moments and triumphs. This special Starting Nine features a line-up of the must-see artifacts on display in the Museum related to baseball and Japan.
ICHIRO SUZUKI INDUCTEE CASE
A member of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, Ichiro Suzuki is the first Japanese-born player to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Artifacts related to his stellar career in Nippon Professional Baseball, Major League Baseball and the World Baseball Classic are featured in his Inductee case.
New Inductees
RABBIT MARANVILLE 1931 TOUR JACKET
Shortstop Rabbit Maranville wore this “U.S.” team jacket as a member of the Major League All-Stars during their 1931 tour to Japan. The team featuring seven future Hall of Famers won all 17 games they played in the island country.
Taking the Field
HIDEO NOMO DODGERS T-SHIRT
After five seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, Hideo Nomo signed with the Dodgers in 1995 and quickly took the U.S. by storm. His twisting pitching motion, as depicted on this souvenir t-shirt, earned him “The Tornado” nickname and the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Whole New Ballgame
YAKYU | BASEBALL EXHIBIT
Yakyu | Baseball: The Transpacific Exchange of the Game features dozens of artifacts that highlight how baseball has served as a powerful cultural bridge between the United States and Japan, fostering countless individual friendships and strengthening ties between the two baseball-loving countries.
Yakyu | Baseball
SACHIO KINUGASA RECORD-BREAKING SHOES
Nicknamed “Iron Man,” Japanese baseball great Sachio Kinugasa wore these shoes on June 13, 1987, when he played in his 2,131st consecutive game, passing Lou Gehrig’s then-major league record. While Kinugasa ultimately ran his streak to 2,215 games, he also notched over 500 home runs and 2,500 hits in his illustrious career.
One For The Books
SADAHARU OH FIRST BASEMAN’S MITT
Legendary slugger Sadaharu Oh clouted 868 homers over a 22-year career in Nippon Professional Baseball. The longtime Yomiuri Giants first baseman wore this mitt on September 3, 1977, the day he hit his 756th career home run, passing Hank Aaron’s hallowed mark.
One for the Books
MASAICHI KANEDA 400TH WIN GLOVE
Masaichi Kaneda won more games than any other pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball history. Nicknamed “The Emperor,” the southpaw notched 20 or more wins in 14 straight seasons (1951 to 1964) and wore this glove when he collected his 400th and final career victory on October 10, 1969.
One for the Books
YUTAKA FUKUMOTO HANKYU BRAVES SHOES
Yutaka Fukumoto wore these shoes near the end of his 20-year Nippon Professional Baseball career with the Hankyu Braves, now the Orix Buffaloes. The speedy center fielder retired in 1988 with all-time NPB career records of 1,065 stolen bases, 115 triples, and 43 lead-off homers.
One for the Books
SHOHEI OHTANI ALL-STAR GAME SHOES
Wearing these shoes during the 2021 All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado, Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani batted leadoff for the American League squad. He then pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the first inning, retiring National League All-Stars Fernando Tatis Jr., Max Muncy and Nolan Arenado.
Your Team Today
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