[FuzzyRussianHat]

East Asia Baseball’s 1997 Hall of Fame class was a very solid one with three inductees from their first ballot. CF Sosuke Hoshizawa was the star easily at 99.4%, but OF Ryota Shintani (87.8%) and LF Myeong-Won Song (84.1%) were no slouches by any stretch. A fourth outfielder almost joined them on his second ballot, but Jay-Hoon Cho missed the mark at 60.4%. Also above 50% were 2B Seong-Jae Kang at 55.2% and closer Dong-Myung Choy at 50.0%, both on their second ballots. No players were dropped after ten ballots.



Sosuke “Legend” Hoshizawa – Center Field – Sapporo Swordfish – 99.4% First Ballot

Sosuke Hoshizawa was a 6’0’’, 195 pound right-handed center fielder from Toyohashi, a city of 375,000 people in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture. He later earned the nickname “legend,” which was certainly fitting for someone of his stature as a genuine five-tool player. In his prime, Hoshizawa was an excellent contact and power hitter with a respectable eye. He ended up averaging around 45 home runs per 162 games with a career .300 average. Hoshizawa had great pop in his bat generally, also getting you around 25-35 doubles/triples per year.

Hoshizawa often stretched out extra bases with great speed and keen instincts. He played his entire career in center field and was an excellent defender. As of 2037, he’s EAB’s all-time leader in zone rating, putouts, and chances at the position. Despite a number of injury issues in the second half of his career, Hoshizawa always gave his all and provided excellent leadership as Sapporo’s captain. He was viewed as one of the greatest men to ever step on the diamond in Japan and is one of the most beloved icons and symbols of the sport.

Hoshizawa’s excellence was spotted as a teenager and many teams were interested in picking him straight out of Tokai High School. Sapporo was one of these squads and had the second pick in the 1967 EAB Draft. The Swordfish selected Hoshizawa, beginning a partnership that lasted 24 years. He made his official debut in 1968 at age 19, although he only had 12 plate appearances. The plan was to make him a full-time starter the next year, but a ruptured finger tendon at the end of spring training cost him four months. Still, Hoshizawa came back to finish the season and posted 27 home runs in only 58 games. It looked clear that this phenom was likely going to live up to the immense hype.

From 1970-76, Hoshizawa posted seven straight seasons worth 10+ WAR. Even more impressive was that he did it despite missing a month or more in three of those seasons. In his first full season as a starter in 1970, Hoshizawa led in runs, home runs, total bases, OPS, and wRC+ to win his first Japan League MVP. He won again in 1971, 72, and 74, while taking second in 1973. In 1972, he led with 129 runs and a 1.116 OPS with 56 home runs and 12.9 WAR. Hoshizawa had 12.6 WAR and a league-best 81 stolen bases in 1974 while adding 47 home runs. He also won all six of his Silver Sluggers consecutively from 1970-75.

Sapporo had fallen on hard times in the mid 1960s and hadn’t seen the playoffs since 1957, but Hoshizawa’s production brought them 100+ seasons and playoff spots in 1972 and 1974. Both seasons, they fell in the Japan League Championship Series. But the Swordfish were convinced he’d lead them to success, signing Hoshizawa to an eight-year, $2,790,000 extension after the 1972 campaign. Despite his historic production, Sapporo wouldn’t see consistent success until 1979.

As much as Hoshizawa tried to power through, he physically was often a wreck. Back spasms cost him more than half of 1977 with miscellaneous injuries knocking him out much of 1978. 1979 finally saw Hoshizawa’s first full season in a few years, getting the Swordfish back to the playoffs. Despite having the top seed, they were one-and-done. But this began a stretch of dominance atop the recently realigned North Division. Sapporo would make the playoffs ten times from 1979-89.

When healthy, Hoshizawa was still great. He’d win most of his six Gold Gloves in these later years (1974, 79, 83, 84, 85, 86). Sapporo signed him to a six-year, $2,328,000 extension just before the 1980 season. The Swordfish got to the JLCS, but a partially torn labrum kept Hoshizawa out of the playoff run. In 1981, Sapporo finally put together the championship run, taking the EAB title. Hoshizawa’s leadership was invaluable, even though he was iffy in limited playoff time with late season elbow inflammation. Regardless, he finally got Sapporo its first ring since the early 1950s.

Sapporo was ousted in the 1982 JLCS. They won the 1983 pennant, losing the EAB title to Seongnam. That was easily Hoshizawa‘s best playoff run with 18 starts, 22 hits, 15 runs, 8 home runs, and 18 RBI. The Swordfish would get ousted in the first round of their next five playoff appearances. Hoshizawa only played games in two of those five series due to injury. For his playoff career, he had 51 games, 56 hits, 31 runs, 13 home runs, 39 RBI, a .284/.308/.584 slash, and 2.1 WAR. He also rejoined Japan in the World Baseball Championship from 1982-89, having previously only played in 1970 and 1971. In 97 career WBC starts, he had 93 hits, 65 runs, 7 doubles, 36 home runs, 76 RBI, a .266/.343/.602 slash, and 4.1 WAR.

Hoshizawa was still excellent when healthy in his 30s, posting six seasons worth 6+ WAR despite missing notable time each year. 1982 had a broken kneecap and 1985 had a ruptured Achilles tendon. Multiple times he dealt with hamstring strains, partially torn labrums, and back stiffness. Hoshizawa was still a team captain and almost a second manager in the clubhouse, beloved by all. Even with the injuries, Sapporo gave him another three-year extension after the 1985 season at age 37.

In 1988, Hoshizawa managed to have his first full season in around a decade, but his power was no longer elite. Still, the Swordfish added another three year extension. Hoshizawa crossed the 700 career home run mark in 1989, but it was his last great moment. He was limited severely by his body in his final three seasons and finally was reduced to a bench role in 1991. Still, Hoshizawa was a beloved elder statesman to the end and a rare player to have played in four decades, having started in 1968 and ended in 1991. He finally retired at age 42 and saw his #28 uniform retired by Sapporo.

Hoshizawa’s final stats: 2772 hits, 1647 runs, 297 doubles, 220 triples, 718 home runs, 1746 RBI, 943 stolen bases, a .300/.341/.613 slash, 177 wRC+, and 156.9 WAR. Even with the injuries, Hoshizawa became EAB’s all-time WARlord, a distinction he still holds as of 2037. At induction, he was seventh all-time in home runs, 10^th in runs and 12^th in RBI. He was the only player with 700+ home runs and 900+ stolen bases. His hard work and dedication were incredible even as his body broke down, becoming a very rare example of someone who both debuted as a teenager and played into their 40s. Even rarer still and perhaps unique to Hoshizawa was doing that with one team. The nickname “legend” is incredibly fitting for this inner circle Hall of Famer, leading off the 1997 class at 99.4%.



Ryota “Old School” Shintani – Center/Left Field – Sendai Samurai – 87.8% First Ballot

Ryota Shintani was a 6’3’’, 200 pound right-handed outfielder from Osaka, Japan. At his best, Shintani was a great power hitter with an excellent eye and solid contact ability. He averaged around 45 home runs per 162 games while also getting around 30-35 doubles/triples per season. Shintani had above average speed and baserunning chops in his prime. His career defensively was roughly split 50/50 between center and left field. He graded as slightly below average in center and pretty good in left. Shintani was a team leader and would become one of Japan’s favorite players. He earned the nickname “Old School” for his approach to the game.

Shintani attended Tokai University in Tokyo and excelled as an amateur, becoming the top prospect for the 1973 EAB Draft. Sendai selected him with the first overall pick and his entire 11-year run in the Japan League was with the Samurai. Shintani was a full-time starter for his entire tenure, although he did miss chunks of 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1984 to injuries. His debut was impressive with 5.1 WAR, taking the 1974 Rookie of the Year.

He had a very solid 1975 and 1976, which prompted Sendai to sign Shintani to an eight-year, $2,830,000 contract extension. Shintani emerged as truly elite with the 1977 campaign, leading in home runs, OPS, and WAR. This earned him his first MVP and Silver Slugger, plus his lone Gold Glove in left. His national popularity grew as a regular for Japan in the World Baseball Championship. Even after leaving for MLB, he came home for the WBC from 1975-95 with 196 games, 191 starts, 175 hits, 133 runs, 65 home runs, 116 RBI, a .261/.378/.604 slash, and 10.0 WAR.

A bruised kneecap cost Shintani close to half of the 1978 season, but Sendai still managed to win a weak North Division at 84-78. He returned for the postseason and led them to a stunning East Asian Championship run, the first (and as of 2037, only) title for the Samurai. In 14 playoff starts, Shintani had 13 hits, 11 runs, 4 home runs, and 11 RBI. Helping Sendai to its first time forever made Shintani a franchise icon. For the rest of his tenure, Sendai was above .500 but generally stuck behind Sapporo in the divisional race. Their only other playoff berth was a one-and-done in 1984 despite having the Japan League’s best record.

Shintani’s second MVP and Silver Slugger came in 1979. A severely strained hip muscle cost him the second half of 1980, 1982 saw a return to form with Shintani winning his third MVP and Silver Slugger. He won additional Sluggers in 1983 and 1984 and took third in 1983’s MVP voting. In his tenure, Shintani led in runs scored thrice, homers twice, RBI once, total bases thrice, OBP twice, slugging thrice, OPS thrice, wRC+ four times, and WAR four times.

1984 was on pace to perhaps be his best year yet, but a concussion knocked him out for a month. That would be his final season in Japan, as Shintani left for MLB soon after. Sendai would retire his #16 more than a decade later once his playing days were over and he remained one of the franchise’s favorites.

For his Sendai tenure, Shintani had 1606 hits, 1063 runs, 252 doubles, 461 home runs, 1089 RBI, a .301/.368/.639 slash, 191 wRC+, and 87.2 WAR. The grand totals aren’t high on the leaderboard since he left early with some wondering if he could’ve rivaled Sosuke Hoshizawa’s tallies had he stuck around. A few voters poo-poo’d him leaving, but that resume was still exemplary and earned Shintani a first ballot induction at 87.8%.

He would still have half of his playing career left though. At age 34, he joined MLB’s Houston Hornets on a four-year, $5,360,000 deal. Shintani won Silver Sluggers in CF for Houston in 1987 and 1988 and was third in 1987’s MVP voting. The Hornets made the playoffs twice in his tenure, but couldn’t get beyond the second round. Untimely injures kept Shintani from playing in either of those postseason runs. For his Houston time, he had a solid 612 hits, 412 runs, 144 home runs, 367 RBI, a .282/.359/.557 slash, and 26.5 WAR.

His contract expired and at age 38, he was a free agent again for 1989. Having looked very good in Houston, that compelled Indianapolis to sign Shintani on a three-year, $5,500,000 deal. He was good when healthy, but torn ankle ligaments and a fractured knee cost him big chunks of his two seasons with the Racers. Shintani still managed 7.7 WAR over 182 games for Indianapolis. He didn’t meet the vesting criteria in his contract and became a free agent again for 1991.

Despite being 40 years old, Denver gave Shintani a three-year, $6,020,000 deal. Again, injuries meant he only managed half seasons with the Dragons, but he was still good when healthy. Denver won the American Association pennant in 1991 with Shintani getting 8 hits, 5 runs, 3 home runs, and 7 RBI in 11 playoff starts. Over two seasons and 158 games with the Dragons, Shintani had 7.2 WAR, 40 home runs, 174 hits, 104 runs, and 90 RBI.

Shintani spent 1993-94 with Virginia Beach with the same story; good production but a lot of injuries. Philadelphia had Shintani for his final two seasons, but he only managed 88 games with the Phillies. The nickname “Old School” was especially poignant as the oldest player in the game. Shintani retired after the 1996 campaign at age 46.

For his MLB tenure, Shintani had 1199 hits, 779 runs, 185 doubles, 269 home runs, 690 RBI, a .284/.365/.543 slash, 152 wRC+, and 48.6 WAR. It is a very impressive roughly decade of production for someone who came over at age 34. For his entire pro career, Shintani had 2805 hits, 1842 runs, 437 doubles, 139 triples, 730 home runs, 1779 RBI, 1094 walks, a .293/.367/.597 slash, 173 wRC+, and 135.8 WAR. The grand totals make it clear that Shintani was one of the absolute finest outfielders in all of professional baseball for two decades.



Myeong-Won Song – Outfield/Designated Hitter – Suwon Snappers – 84.1% First Ballot

Myeong-Won Song was a 6’1’’, 200 pound left-handed outfielder from Bucheon, South Korea. Song had a great eye for the ball, allowing him to be one of the best at getting on base both from hits and walks. He also had a very solid pop in his bat, averaging around 35-40 home runs and around 25-30 doubles per season. Song had okay speed in his younger years and was a fairly smart baserunner. He was a lousy defender, thus making about half of his career starts as a designated hitter. Song split his time defensively between left and right field and was graded as mediocre in both spots. He was a durable and reliable bat, allowing him to help Suwon become a playoff contender.

Song didn’t have the traditional path to professional baseball, as he didn’t pick up the game until his 20s. He played within an independent league in South Korea, but dominated and caught the eye of a scout from Suwon. At age 25, Song signed his first big league contract to join the snappers in 1978. In his debut, he led the Korea League in OPS, picking up Rookie of the Year and his first of seven Silver Sluggers.

The ‘diamond in the rough’ signing would soon pay off for Suwon. The Snappers hadn’t made the playoffs since 1935, but they would earn five berths in six years from 1979-84. Four times they made it to the KLCS, winning the pennant in 1981. They lost to Sapporo in the EAB Championship, but they had their first sustained success. Song in 47 postseason games had 57 hits, 24 runs, 9 doubles, 11 home runs, 28 RBI, a .329/.410/.586 slash, and 2.4 WAR. He also made appearances in four World Baseball Championships from 1978-81 with South Korea, posting 61 hits, 45 runs, 20 home runs, and 47 RBI over 61 games.

Song’s second season saw him lead the KL in the triple slash, posting an impressive 1.136 OPS and career best 10.1 WAR with 43 home runs. That earned him league MVP and his second Silver Slugger. His additional Sluggers came in 1980, 84, 85, 86, and 89. He had two as a DH, three in LF, and two in RF. Song also won his second MVP in 1984, leading in WAR, OPS, and runs. He led in OBP four times in his career and OPS thrice.

In spring 1980, Song signed an eight-year, $3,714,000 contract extension. He was very popular with Suwon fans and continued to perform at a high level. However, the team began to rebuild as the 1980s came to a close, falling to 62-100 in 1988. As a Snapper, Song had 1777 hits, 1079 runs, 298 doubles, 377 home runs, 1020 RBI, a .312/.405/.574 slash, and 68.0 WAR. His #34 uniform would get retired a few years later.

His contract ended with the 1988 season, which had also been easily his worst statistically. At age 36, Seoul gave Song a chance on a three-year, $3,320,000 deal. He bounced back impressively in 1989, taking second in MVP voting and winning his last Silver Slugger. The Seahawks made it to the KLCS for the first time in a decade, but were bested by Daegu. Song had a good second year with Seoul as well, posting 11.2 WAR over two seasons with the squad.

However, just before the 1991 season, Song was sent to Jeonju in a four-player trade. He was a full-time starter with the Jethawks, but posted the weakest year of his career with a .240/.316/.407 slash and 1.2 WAR. Song decided to retire that winter at age 38 instead of trying to find a new home.

For his EAB career, Song had 2247 hits, 1342 runs, 365 doubles, 476 home runs, 1304 RBI, 1076 walks, a .304/.394/.558 slash, 159 wRC+, and 80.4 WAR. At induction, only two other Hall of Famers had a better career OBP. He was a very steady bat, although his stats weren’t quite as eye popping as his 1997 Hall of Fame classmates. They were still plenty good to get the first ballot selection at 84.1% to round out the 1997 trio.