Tachibana Seika cards, issued from 1952 to 1962, are often frustrating to collect because, despite the accurate player images, no player names were printed on the cards! Thus, for the more obscure players, it is often difficult to discern who the player is. Moreover, the same player images were often continued over several series, and the only way to determine the exact year of issue is to scan the reverse side with care to pick out minor differences from series to series.

It is also difficult to find complete cards without extra paper on the back, since the cards were often pasted to sheets which the collector sent in to claim a prize from the issuer. Moreover, the redemption point section (non-picture portion) of the card was often cut off by collectors.

We are pleased to offer this scarce card of Hall of Famer Katsuya Nomura with the redemption point section still attached and no extra glue or paper on the back. The Pacific League's all time greatest player before Ichiro, and certainly the best Japanese catcher ever, Katsuya Nomura played in Japan Pro Baseball from 1954 to 1980. He ranks second all time in hits (2,901), homers (657) and RBI (1,988). He won five Pacific League MVP awards. A triple crown winner in 1965, he led the league in homers nine times and was RBI leader seven times.

Nomura began his 24-year managerial career as player-manager of the Hawks in 1970. During his eight year stint as Hawks manager, he led the team to the Pacific League title in 1973. After his playing career, Nomura went on to become a full-time manager. From 1990 to 1998, he managed the Yakult Swallows, leading them to four league titles and three Japan Series championships. Following managerial stints with the Hanshin Tigers and Rakuten Eagles, he retired with 1,565 managerial victories, fifth most in the history of Japan Pro Baseball.

Size: 1 19/32" x 2 9/32"

Condition: Vg to Vg/Ex