This baseball was signed either in 1976 or 1977, but more likely in 1977 since Hoshino missed much of the 1976 season. Four panels of the ball have single, large, black marker signatures. All players included their uniform numbers below their signatures. Wally Yonamine (HOF) (d.2011) (upper left) was the manager in both 1976 and 1977, years when the Dragons finished third and fourth respectively. Of course, Yonamine, the former San Francisco 49ers running back, is best known as the first postwar American import to make a big splash in Japan Pro Baseball during his years with the Yomiuri Giants.

Senichi Hoshino (HOF) (upper right) is a recent inductee into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame. He was an outstanding pitcher, during his playing career (1969-1982), but in recent decades is best known as a manager, winning three league pennants and one Japan Series championship. Morimichi Takagi (HOF/Golden Player) (lower left) was a slick fielding second baseman known for his backhand tosses around the second base bag, but he could hit and run as well. He stole 369 bases lifetime and walloped 236 round trippers. Takagi also included the inscription, "Chunichi Dragons", with his signature. Kenichi Yazawa (Golden Player) (lower right) was the 1976 Central League batting champion. A lifetime .302 hitter, he was named Central League Rookie of the Year in 1967

Size: Regular baseball size

Condition: All signatures grade 9 or 10 out of 10. Off-white ball with some foxing, especially on the Yonamine signature panel.