Lest we forget: Wally Yonamine

March 3, 2011

Kyodo News/AP Photo

Wally Yonamine was the first Asian-American to play baseball in Japan, died on Monday at the age 0f 85.

As a Nisei — a first generation American of Japanese descent — Yonamine had many Jackie Robinson moments when he debuted for the Yomiuri Giants in 1951. His story was chronicled in Robert Fitts’ excellent biography, Wally Yonamine: The Man Who Changed Japanese Baseball (2008).

The Hawaii-born Yonamine was also the first Asian to appear in the National Football League. he spent one season with the San Francisco 49ers before retiring due to an injury. He then turned to baseball. he batted .311 over a 12-year career for the Giants and Chunichi Dragons.

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