While Hideo Fujimoto began his Japan Pro Baseball career in 1942, no cards were printed during the war years, and very few were printed in 1946. Thus, this 1947 card of Fujimoto is a rookie card! He is shown here in his Chunichi Dragons uniform. Fujimoto played for the Dragons only during the 1947 season. The rest of his career was spent with the Yomiuri Giants. Very few rookie cards of Fujimoto were issued. In fact, this is only the second time during the past 35 years that we have offered a Fujimoto rookie at auction.

Korean native Hideo Fujimoto is the all time Japan Pro Baseball leader in lifetime ERA (1.90), single season ERA (0.73) and all time winning percentage (.697). He is credited with introducing the slider to Japanese baseball. He pitched the first perfect game in Japan Pro Baseball history. He is a Sawamura (Japan Cy Young) Award recipient. In 1943 alone, he pitched in 432 2/3 innings, threw 19 complete game shutouts and went 100 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run! He was also a decent hitter, batting .245 in nearly 1,500 plate appearances, occasionally playing second base, third base, and outfield. The 5' 7" 145 right hander is certainly one of the most overlooked of the great Japanese baseball players.

Blank back card.

Size: 1 13/16" x 2 3/4"

Condition: Good