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, including a stint with the KBO’s Samsung Lions.

 

 #19  Masaji Hiramatsu - Pitcher (Taiyo)

Hiramatsu played his entire 18 year Hall of Fame career for the Taiyo Whales. Although he put up a 1.95 ERA in 1970, he was astoundingly not the qualified ERA leader that season. Minoru Murayama of the Tigers achieved a preposterous 0.98 mark, albeit in less than half the innings of work. For this reason, Hiramatsu was deservedly given the Sawamura award.

 

#20  Yutaka Fukumoto - Outfielder (Hankyu)

 

I don’t think too many images better than this one of Japan’s stolen base king grace a baseball card.

 

 #21  Kojiro Ikegaya - Pitcher (Hiroshima)

 

Ikegaya won the Sawamura award in 1976. He was the leader in wins (18), innings pitched (290.1), and strikeouts (207) that year.

 

#22  John Sipin - Infielder (Yomiuri)

 

Sipin played a partial season with the Padres in 1969 before making the move to Japan. In 9 seasons with the Whales and Giants he hit .297 with 218 HR. 1980 was his last year as a pro.

 

#23  Tatsuhiko Kimata - Catcher (Chunichi)

 

Kimata hit .277 with 285 homers over 19 seasons as a catcher with the Dragons. An 8 time All-Star and 5 time Best Nine winner to boot, he is certainly worthy of consideration for the Hall of Fame.