This is a card that we don't remember having seen in the past. Moreover, we have no idea as to the manufacturer or the set from which it comes. We do know that, although the text identifies Starffin as a remember of the Taiyo Robins (his 1947 team), he is pictured wearing his 1946 Pacific team uniform. This might indicate that this card is an early 1947 issue. While Starffin had already been active in Japan Pro Baseball for many years by 1947, the card would still qualify as a second year Starffin card, because his first and only other earlier card dates from 1946.

The first Gaijin (foreigner) elected to the Japan Hall of Fame, Starffin was one of Japan's early star pitchers. Starffin was born in Russia in 1916. His father was a military officer allied with Czar Nicholas II. During the Russian Revolution, the Starffins fled to Hokkaido, Japan.

At 6' 3" and 198 pounds, Starffin towered over his fellow Japan Pro League players. As a result, he became Japan's premier prewar power pitcher. Starffin was the first pitcher in Japan to win 300 games (303-176, 2.09).

Blank backed card.

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

Condition: Vg/Ex to Ex