Kinugasa (1947-2018) is Japan's Iron Man. In 1987 he surpassed Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games. He retired after the 1987 season with the streak still intact at 2,215 games. Cal Ripken, Jr. later surpassed Kinugasa's world record. Kinugasa, the son of a black American GI and a Japanese mother, was a great power hitter (504 lifetime HR). He attributed his durability to his theory of "work hard, play hard." During the consecutive games streak, Kinugasa suffered five broken bones, but he kept on playing through these and other injuries.

Kinugasa's autograph is scarcer than those of most top players of the 1970s and 80s.  We have previously offered only one lot containing a Kinugasa autographed shikishi in our auction history. In addition to his name, Kinugasa wrote the date and "Meikyukai" (Japanese Golden Players Club). He was subsequently inducted into the Japan Hall of Fame in 1996. Signed in black marker.

Size: 9 1/2" x 10 3/4"

Condition: The shikishi is Nm. The signature grades 9.5 of 10.