5 Best Japanese Players In Major League Baseball

Looking for the 5 best Japanese players in Major League Baseball? Baseball is huge in Japan, but only a select few have made their way to the United States to play professional baseball in the MLB.

1. Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro Suzuki is the most notable player to be mentioned as one of the best Japanese baseball players. He entered the Major League Baseball Association in 2001 at the age of 27. Through the 2010 season, Suzuki has spent his entire career with the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro Suzuki has made the all-star team and been awarded a Gold Glove every year of his career.
2. Hideki Matsui. Hideki Matsui came to America in 2003. He joined the New York Yankees at the age of 29 and he played with them through the 2009 season. Hideki Matsui is a two time all-star and he was named the 2009 World Series MVP.
3. Hideo Nomo. Hideo Nomo is the only starting pitcher to be mentioned as one of the 5 best Japanese players. He joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 and retired from professional baseball in 2008. Throughout his career, he accumulated 123 wins in 318 starts, posting an ERA of 4.24 with 1,918 strikeouts. Hideo Nomo was nominated as an all-star in 1995, and he also won the NL Rookie of the Year Award the same year.
4. Kazuhiro Sasaki. Kazuhiro Sasaki only played Major League Baseball from 2000 through 2003, but in those four seasons, he was one of the most dominant closers in all of baseball. Kazuhiro Sasaki was an all-star in 2001 and 2002, and was named the AL Rookie of the Year in 2000. In his four seasons, he saved a total of 129 games, while posting an ERA of 3.14.
5. Dave Roberts. One may not think that Dave Roberts was born in Japan, but he was born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan in 1972. Dave Roberts, one of the best Japanese players, played for five teams from 1999 through 2008. In his ten year career, Dave Roberts accumulated 721 hits, while stealing 243 bases.

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