2007 BBM, Fumihiro Suzuki

NN Fumihiro Suzuki

A few years back, I saw on Japanese Baseball Cards that a major Japanese card distributor was going out of business and was having a huge sale. Having never bought a pack of Japanese cards before, I could not pass it up. The cards were very reasonably priced and the shipping was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. So, I picked up about a dozen packs. My hopes were to get some cards of guys that might make it to the States some day so that I would have cards for them to sign. So far, that has not been the case. But, I was pleasantly surprised to pull two autographs out of the packs.

This one features the light-hitting catcher, Fumihiro Suzuki. Fumihiro played pro ball in Japan for fourteen seasons with the Dragons and Buffaloes. He was mostly used as a backup catcher, though he was the main catcher for two seasons. He hit just .185 over his 501 games and had 3 home runs and 56 RBI. His best season was probably with the Dragons in 2000. That year, he hit .226 with a home run and 10 RBI in just 62 at-bats.

Fumihiro was also a member of the 2000 Japanese Olympic baseball team. He retired after the 2012 season.

How about this sticker autograph? People would freak out if Topps used something this big. But, with the Japanese script, maybe this is a must for the Japanese card companies.

1993 BBM, Rex Hudler

#327 Rex Hudler

This is just the second Japanese card that I have gotten signed. The first one had some Royal ties and it was obtained five years ago. This one was acquired this Spring Training.

My family went to Arizona for the second straight year to watch some spring ball. We of course hit up a Royals game and I decided to 'graph the Rangers side. But, to not miss out, I sent my fiance and kid to see what they could get on the Royals side. None of us were doing very good, but I noticed that Rex was out on the field doing a pregame show. I called my soon to be better half to let her know because I really wanted this card signed. She said that she would do what she could.

So, she kept an eye on Rex while watching out for any other Royals that came her way. While trying to flag down a player, Rex started to leave the field. At the last second, she noticed this, and sent our kid over to the dugout. He is just nine-years old, but he was able to get Rex to sign before heading up to the booth and Rex signed two cards for him/me.

Rex spent just one season in Japan and he did really well. He hit .300 while hitting 14 home runs and driving in 64. He did good enough there to get a job back in the states the following season.

This card is slightly smaller than a normal card. It it no where near mini-card small, but it is not quite full sized. The border on the card reminds me of some early '90s Pro Set football cards.

2006 BBM, John Bale

#749 John Bale

Here is the first 2006 card that I have to post and it is one of my favorites. It doesn't feature a prominent player or even a player I am fond of. But, this card is special to me as it is my first Japanese card that I have got autographed. Actually, this is the only Japanese card that I have got signed in-person. My other two Japanese autos were both pulled from packs.

I got this card signed at Royals Fanfest in 2009. I was a partial season ticket holder that year and season ticket holders got into Fanfest an hour earlier than the general public for an extra autograph session. John was in the first session I attended and he seemed thrilled that I had this card of him. He was sitting next to Trey Hillman, who managed in Japan, and he had to show the card off to him. Unfortunately, the autograph got a little smudged, which was most likely my fault. But I am still happy with the results.

John lasted in Kansas City for three uninspiring seasons. He never accomplished much and he spent a lot of time on the disabled list. One time when he was on the DL, he punched a wall and broke his hand because he wasn't happy with the speed of his recovery. Obviously, the broken hand set him back farther.

2009 was the last time John pitched in the Majors. He spent 2010 back with the Hiroshima Carp and I think he pitched for Camden of the Atlantic League last season.