From Japan To America
Masanori Murakami
RHP (1964-65)
The first Japanese-born major leaguer pitched so well in a late-season callup in 1964 that the San Francisco Giants fought bitterly to retain his services. The Nankei Hawks, his Japanese club, allowed him to stay with the Giants for one more season, during which he struck out 85 batters in 74 1/3 innings before deciding to return home. Nearly three decades passed before another Japanese pitcher came to the States.
