All three outfielders are seen in their “ready to field” pose.  By 1950, two of those pictured, Shosei Go and Kaoru Betto would move on to the Mainichi Orions.  The most important aspect of this lot is that the card is a rookie card of Betto.  What’s more, he most likely autographed the card during his rookie season!

Kaoru Betto  (1920-1999), nicknamed the “Gentleman of Baseball”, was a right handed hitting, bespectacled outfielder.  Among American collectors, he is best known as the player whose visage is seen on the iconic shirt worn by Jeff Bridges in the movie, The Big Lebowski. In 1948, as a rookie, Betto batted .328 with 13 homers. 

Known as the "Human Locomotive", Shosei Go (1916-1987) is one of the few Taiwanese stars enshrined in the Japan Pro Baseball Hall of Fame. The tiny, fleet footed outfielder was often considered to be the fastest player of his era. In a career spanning the years 1937 to 1957, he played for the Giants, Tigers and Orions. Go was a two-time batting champion and was also named MVP in 1944. Interestingly, he was also used as a pitcher in 1946. During his one season on the mound, he went 14-6 and pitched Japan Pro Baseball's first postwar no hitter!

Masayasu Kaneda (1920-1992) was an outfielder for the Hanshin Tigers from 1942 to 1957. A left-handed batter and a fleet footed runner, the 5' 7", 150 lb. Kaneda put up some big numbers in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He batted over .300 six times. In 1947, he once hit for the cycle.

Blank back card

Size:  4 3/8” x 2 7/8”

Condition:  Autographs—Betto and Go grade 8 out of 10.  Kaneda—6 out of 10.  Card—Vg/Ex