This item was presented to participants in the 1950 Nippon World Series (Japan Series). 1950 was the first year that Japan Pro Baseball split into two Leagues (Pacific and Central). The two league system is still in effect to this day. As such, this was the first Japan Pro Baseball Championship Series.

The series (best 4 of 7 games) was played between the Pacific League winning Mainichi Orions and Central League champion Shochiku Robins. The Orions, managed by Yoshio Yuasa, prevailed in six games over the Robins, managed by Hall of Fame member Tokuro Konishi. The Orions, a first year franchise, were led by Hall of Famers Kaoru Betto, Henry "Bozo" Wakabayashi (Hawaii), rookie Atsushi Aramaki and veteran Shosei Go (Taiwan). Betto was named MVP of the Series.

In Auction 55, we offered a press badge for which the central portion was similar to this item. However, the reverse side of this item is quite different from the center of the Auction 55 press badge. The badge had hooks on the back and a safety pin in the center. This item contains two vertical bars to attach it to a different type of item. It appears that the back of the item offered here was modified at some point, but could simply be a different item than the previous press badge. In any case, it is an extremely rare keepsake from Japan's first championship series.

Size: 1 1/8" in diameter

Condition: The front is Ex to Ex/Mt. The back contains extra solder and has the appearance of having had modifications performed.