1965 Topps #282, Giants Rookies Masanori Murakami ⭐ MLB Pioneer
On September 29, 1964, Masanori Murakami becomes the first player born in Japan to win a major league game. At Candlestick Park, the 20 year-old southpaw one-hits the Colt .45’s over three innings, and the Otsuki native gets the victory when Matty Alou, who hasn’t homered in two years, goes deep to give the Giants a dramatic walk-off 5-4 win in the bottom of the 11th inning.

1965 Topps #282, Giants Rookies Masanori Murakami.
2006 Topps Triple Threads Relics, Ichiro Suzuki ROY.
Masanori Murakami paved the way as the first Japanese-born player in Major League Baseball, debuting with the San Francisco Giants on September 1, 1964.
Today, Ichiro Suzuki is the first Japanese-born player inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Together, Murakami’s historical debut and Ichiro’s Hall of Fame honor illustrate the profound and enduring influence of Japanese players on America’s pastime.

Have a great HOF Day friends and card folk! 👊