Since the advent of Japan Pro Baseball in 1936, eight players have won the triple crown. Of those eight superstars to accomplish this feat, two were Americans. After short stints with the Toronto BlueJays and Minnesota Twins, 28-year-old Greg "Boomer" Wells joined Japan Pro Baseball, becoming a dominant hitter for a decade. In 1984, his second season in Japan, he led the Hankyu Braves to the Central League pennant, batting .355 with 37 home runs, 130 RBIs and OPS of 1.062 over a 130 game season. His performance earned him the Pacific League Triple Crown and MVP.

Randy Bass also joined Japan Pro Baseball in 1983. He was also 28 years old at the time. Bass had enjoyed a bit more playing time in the U.S. Major Leagues prior to signing to play in Japan, but had generally failed to impress Stateside. Randy Bass outdid Boomer Wells. As a member of the Hanshin Tigers, Bass won consecutive Central League Triple Crowns in 1985 and 1986! In 1985 Bass slugged 54 homers, while batting .350 with 134 RBIs and an OPS of 1.146. In 1986, Bass went (.389, 47, 109).  His OPS was a staggering 1.258! In 2023, Randy Bass was elected to the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame.

Believe it or not, both Bass and Wells were outdone during the same era by Japanese superstar, Hiromitsu Ochiai who won three triple crowns in the Pacific League (1982, 1985 and 1986). In fact, in 1985 and 1986, Ochiai hit over 50 homers in each year with 1.244 and 1.232 OPS!

This shikishi (traditional Japanese signing board) is autographed in English by both Bass and Wells, and in Japanese by Ochiai. Each American added his uniform number and Triple Crown winning years. The shikishi is a special Hiromitsu Ochiai Triple Crowns board. Ochiai signed the shikishi on 1/1/2015. We assume that Wells and Bass signed the shikishi at a later date, but we are not certain.

Size: 9 1/2" x 10 5/8"

Condition: Autographs--Wells-10, Bass-10, Ochiai-9. Shikishi--Nm.