On this postcard, produced by the Mainichi Sports newspaper, Joe DiMaggio and Lefty O'Doul are posed with Japan Baseball superstar and Hall of Famer, Kaoru Betto in a photo taken during the U.S. All Stars' Tour of Japan in 1951. In our more than 30 years of handling Japanese Baseball Memorabilia, we have seen this postcard only twice before, so obviously, it is quite rare.
Known as the Gentleman of Baseball, Betto's more recent claim to fame is having his countenance emblazoned on a very popular t-shirt worn by Jeff Bridges in the movie, The Big Lebowski. A Best 9 selection in six consecutive seasons, Betto was truly deserving of his Hall of Fame enshrinement in 1988. Betto's signature on the postcard is a facsimile. Unused.
Size: 3 5/8" x 5 1/2"
Condition: Good unused