These two players were teammates on the Matsuyama Shogyo team at the National High School Baseball Championships at Koshien on five different occasions. In 1927, the Matsuyama Shogyo team were Koshien champions. The two players then enrolled at Keio U. in 1928 and played together from 1928 to 1933. Ogawa was a star catcher and cleanup hitter for the Keio team. Mizuhara, a third baseman, developed into a superstar. Mizuhara played for the Yomiuri Giants from 1936 to 1942,. After being named league MVP in his final year, he joined the Japanese army. He was captured and spent four years in Siberia as a POW. Upon his return, he became Giants manager. From 1950 to 1960, he led the Giants to eight pennants and four Japan Series championships. Ogawa's post-college career was far shorter and far more tragic. Ogawa played for the All Japan team against the US Major League All Stars with Lefty Grove and Lou Gehrig in 1931. When Japan Pro Baseball bagan in 1936, Ogawa batted .342 for the Osaka Tigers in his only pro season. In January 1937, he was drafted into the Japanese army. Shortly thereafter, he was killed in China in a military operation. If he had been able to play longer for the Tigers, it is likely that he would have joined Mizuhara in the Hall of Fame.
These sepia bromides are blank backed. The manufacturer is unknown.
Size: Each card is 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".
Condition: The Mizuhara card image is quite sharp. The card grades Ex/Mt. The Ogawa card has Ex to Ex/Mt corners and surfaces, but the image is somewhat faded.
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