Tamotsu Kusumoto was born in Akashi City, located in Hyogo Prefecture in 1914. In his early teens, he began playing organized baseball. It was immediately noticed that, as a pitcher, he had a blazing fastball. Opposing batters claimed that they couldn't even see the ball when trying to bunt! Playing for Akashi Middle School (Meichu), he participated in six National High School Baseball Tournaments at Koshien, setting strikeout records galore. While his team never won the tournament, Kusumoto achieved personal success when he won a game against the Kyoto team featuring the immortal Eiji Sawamura at Koshien in 1933 by a score of 2-1.

In 1936, Kusumoto entered Keio U. of the top flight Tokyo Big Six University League. At Keio, he began as a pitcher, but subsequently switched to the outfield, and ultimately became team captain. After graduation from Keio, Kusumoto worked for a short time at a trading company before being drafted into the Japanese army. He was killed in combat in China in 1943.

The baseball card offered here is the only one known to feature Tamotsu Kusumoto. Furthermore, only two examples are known. The winner of this card will possess a truly rare specimen.

Size: 1 3/4" x 3"

Condition: Vg/Ex