This uncut pair was hand cut by the manufacturer from a sheet. We feel that the pair was most likely then offered to the public in a hanging bundle consisting of uncut pairs, since there is no trace of glue, extra paper, or missing paper as a result of having been originally offered on a prize sheet.

Masaaki Koyama (left hand card) pitched in Japan Pro Baseball for 21 seasons, winning 320 games, third most in history. In 1962, Koyama had 13 shutouts, including five in a row, on his way to a 27-11 record with a 1.66 ERA and the Sawamura (Japan Cy Young) Award. In 1964 he won 30 games. Koyama's 1959 season (year of card issue) was somewhat more pedestrian. However he did win 21 games with a 2.07 ERA. Apparently, Koyama's fame has spread not only internationally, but throughout the solar system. In 1992, a minor planet was discovered and named 13553 Masaaki Koyama!

Chico Barbon. a Havana native, left his native land to join the Hankyu Braves in 1955. He ultimately played 11 seasons in Japan. Rather than returning to Castro's Cuba after his playing career ended, Barbon remained in Japan, where even today, he is a prominent member of the Japanese baseball scene.

Size: Each card is 1 13/16" x 3". The uncut pair is 3 5/8" x 3".

Condition: The uncut pair is Nm/Mt with wide borders.