Both Makoto Kozuru and Fumio Fujimura are seen here
in their 1949 East-West All Star Game Series uniforms. Note the patches on each uniform’s left shoulder.
In 1949, three East-West games were played, with the East team (Kozuru’s team)
prevailing in two of the three contests.
The image dates from either the game of 12/2/49 or 12/4/49, which were
the games in which the East was the home team.
The players were most likely pictured together because Fumio Fujimura
was the 1949 MVP, and in addition, he was the league home run and RBI
champion. Makoto Kozuru was the 1949
league batting champion (.361) and the man who kept Fujimura from winning the
triple crown. Fujimura finished second
in the batting title race.
There is no text on the card front. However, as is always the case with the JBR
166 set, both players’ surnames and team names were stamped on the otherwise
blank back by the manufacturer.
Size: 2 3/8”
x 2 1/16”
Condition:
Ex/Mt to Nm with a slight diamond cut.