This is the first autographed item of Isao Odate that we have ever offered!  Moreover, it is an Odate rookie card signed either during his rookie season or shortly thereafter.

While many mistakenly think that Wally Yonamine was the first American to play in Japan after World War II, there were actually several Hawaiians who preceded him. One was Honolulu McKinley High's own Isao Odate (1917-2000). After attending McKinley, Odate traveled to Japan, where he attended a Japanese high school, and then embarked on a career in Japanese baseball. A first baseman, Odate played for the Osaka Tigers in 1949, and then joined the Mainichi Orions from 1950 to 1955. He is shown here in his Tigers uniform.

The JBR 166 card offered here is signed by Odate in blue fountain pen in Japanese.

Size: 2 3/8" x 3 1/4"

Condition:  Autograph—6 to 7 out of 10.  Card—Vg with a very small ink mark on the back.