1980 Calbee Large: A Scarce and Intriguing Set (Part 3)
Part 3 of my 1980 Calbee Large survey. Note the circling back to #7. I will be presenting these cards in numerical order as I get them, so this will happen periodically. Part 1 , Part 2 , Archive #7 Shigeru Kobayashi - Pitcher (Hanshin) Kobayashi had a fairly brief but successful career. Over the course of a decade he won two Sawamura awards and posted a 3.18 ERA with 1,273 K. He was traded mid career from the Giants to their arch rivals the Tigers, a move Kobayashi cited as one reason he decided to retire early. It seems he also suffered a blood flow issue in his right hand, but this was not widely disclosed. #18 Hisao Niura - Pitcher (Yomiuri) A zainichi Korean also known as Il-Young Kim, Niura had a very long and successful career. Counting his time on the farm, his pro playing days spanned 4 decades ( ‘ 68- ’ 92). He spent most of his time with the Giants during the later end of their V9 dynasty. After leaving the Giants, Niura pitched for several clubs, i...