Wakabayashi, born on a Hawaiian pineapple plantation, had a long career in Japanese baseball. In 1929, he toured Japan with a Nisei baseball team based in Stockton, California. After seeing him pitch, team scouts got Wakabayashi enrolled at Hosei U. in the Japan Big Six League. Unfortunately, he could barely speak Japanese at the time, and the rest of the league cried foul. In short order, he learned Japanese and became one of the league's brightest stars. He ultimately joined the Osaka Tigers in 1936, participating in the first year of Japan Pro Baseball. He stayed with the team until 1949. His career record of 237 wins, 144 losses and a 1.99 ERA earned him a place in the Japan Pro Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the first American so honored. Color bromides of this size from the 1940s are not seen often and are truly prized by collectors. This card originally appeared on a display sheet and was undoubtedly a prize winning card associated with a black and white bromide set. Blank backed.
Size: 1 7/8" x 2 3/16"
Condition: Ex to Ex/Mt. There is paper residue and glue on the blank back, as the card was originally affixed to a prize winner sheet by the manufacturer. All cards of this type bear the same paper and glue.