Wally Yonamine, the former San Francisco 49ers running back and U.S. minor league baseball player, arrived in Japan in 1951 and turned Japan Pro Baseball upside down with his aggressive style of play, as opposed to the more genteel style of baseball practiced in Japan up to that time. His immediate success led to more and more Japanese players emulating his style. Ultimately, he became one of the few Americans elected to the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1957, Yonamine was named league MVP after winning his third batting title. In 1958, the year of this card's issue, he followed up his excellent 1957 season by being named for the seventh consecutive year to the Central League Best 9 team.
This card is part of a 32 card set of Yomiuri Giants players produced in 1958 by the Hinomaru company. Blank backed.
Size: 2" x 3".
Condition: Ex/Mt to Nm