This super scarce set has received an R5 designation in the Japanese Baseball Card Checklist & Price Guide, Second Vintage Edition by Gary Engel, indicating that five or fewer copies of each card in the set are known. In fact, the card of Kenjiro Tamiya (HOF) was unknown until now! In 1959, Tamiya (left) was enjoying his first season with the Mainichi Orions after 12 years starring for the Hanshin Tigers. Originally a pitcher, the lefthander was converted to the outfield after a few years with the Tigers, where he developed into an outstanding hitter. During his career, he was selected to five Best 9 teams and led both the Central and Pacific Leagues in many offensive categories, including OPS twice, batting average and slugging percentage. Seven times he led the league in being hit by a pitch! Before entering Japan Pro Baseball, Eiji Bando (right) was already well known as a successful high school pitcher who had pitched an incredible number of innings. Upon graduation in 1959, he joined the Chunichi Dragons, making this a rookie card. Bando never truly lived up to expectations as, most likely, the number of amateur innings pitched took a toll on his right arm. For the first few seasons in Japan Pro Baseball, Bando sometimes started and other times relieved. He ultimately became almost strictly a reliever. He was out of baseball by age 29. Later, after a number of years as a baseball announcer, he embarked on a very successful acting career, which was derailed for a time by income tax problems. Blank backed cards.

Size: Each Card is 5" x 7 1/2".

Condition: Tamiya--Ex. Bando--G/Vg due to creasing at lower right.