After spending his first two Japan Pro Baseball Seasons with the Osaka Tigers, Kaoru Betto joined the expansion Mainichi Orions for the 1950 season. He played for the Orions until retiring after the 1957 season. While the year of issue of
this card is unknown, it was most likely 1950 or 1951, and very likely 1950, since the Orions won the inaugural Japan Series that season and Betto batted .335 with 43 homers that year, winning the Pacific League MVP award. After 1951,
he began to lose his effectiveness as a player, with 1952 being a down year for him, and his status was reduced to mostly a reserve player and manager thereafter until retirement. This card was most likely a first prize winner card on an
unknown display sheet. While the card does not contain any text, it is definitely a bromide baseball card and not a photo, as can be seen from the paper stock used. Blank backed.
Size: 6 7/8" x 9 3/4"
Condition: A diagonal crease at the lower left corner. Other "scratch marks" are in the negative itself, so do not bear on the card's condition. Would be Ex/Mt but for the aforementioned crease.