Lot # 43: 1949 Uncatalogued Giant Sized Bromide Baseball Card--Makoto Kozuru (HOF)--First Seen

Category: Baseball Cards

Starting Bid: $40.00

Bids: 1 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Auction 61: Ended 6/27/2021",
which ran from 6/9/2021 8:00 PM to
6/26/2021 11:00 PM



While we have never encountered an example of this card before, we do know that it was originally issued as a first prize winner card on a display sheet. We have no idea as to which base set is associated with the card. Makoto Kozuru is pictured here during the one season that he played for the Daiei Stars. Kozuru was quite a peripatetic player for a 1940s/1950s superstar. Normally, a star player of the era might play his entire career for only one or two teams. Kozuru played for five different clubs!

Known as Japan's Joe DiMaggio, Kozuru played Japan Pro Baseball from 1942 to 1958 with the Dragons, Flyers, Stars, Robins and Carp. He may be Japan's most overlooked superstar. He is the holder of three all time single season records, all set in the same season. In 1950, he had 161 RBI, 143 runs scored and 376 total bases. Additionally, in 1950, he hit .355 with 51 homers. Naturally, he won the Central League MVP award that year, leading the Robins to the league pennant. And that .355 batting average was no fluke. Kozuru had batted .361 in 1949! Blank backed card.

Size: 7 1/4" x 10"

Condition: G/Vg

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