Fumio Fujimura: The Remarkable Two-Way Player of Japanese Pro Baseball's Early Days
Signed bromide of the brothers Fujimura: Fumio (left) and Takao (right). Fujimura's autograph is scarce. Although barely known outside Japan, and probably not quite as lauded as he should be even in his native land, Fumio Fujimura was nevertheless a foundational figure in the history of pro baseball in Japan. Known for his rugged competitiveness and extra long “ laundry pole bat,” the remarkable Fujimura ultimately shined at the plate, on the mound, and as a manager in Japanese pro baseball’s early days, despite immense personal and professional obstacles. Fujimura's signature "laundry pole bat" at the Hall of Fame Fujimura was born in 1916 as the third of four sons, and the seventh of eight siblings. His hometown of Kure City , known for its shipyard, also proved to be quite a baseball town. The shipyard — the Kure Naval Arsenal — had a ball club, for which Fumio ’ s elder brother was a star. He was elementary sch...