The JF 28 Maruto Gum set is quite scarce. The 60 Central League cards in the set have received a designation of R4 in the Japanese baseball Card Checklist & Price Guide, Vintage Edition 2.1, indicating that fewer than 10 examples of most cards in the set are known to exist. Moreover, most examples are badly stained, especially on the back, due to their placement in a package of gum. This card is the exception in that it is unstained. Takehiko Bessho was Japan's premier pitcher during the late 1940s and early 1950s. He twice won 30 or more games in a season, baffling hitters with a variety of off speed deliveries. During his career, he won two MVP awards and two Sawamura (Japanese Cy Young) awards. Overall, he won 310 games and had a lifetime ERA of only 2.18.

Size: 1 1/4" x 2 1/8"

Condition: Ex/Mt