Previously, I published a column on this website highlighting Joe DiMaggio as a representative Major League Baseball player whose name often appears in films that aren't directly related to Major League Baseball. This time, I'd like to focus on Jackie Robinson, who, like Joe DiMaggio, is also a representative Major League Baseball player whose name often appears in films that aren't directly related to Major League Baseball. But I'd like to start with a Jackie Robinson biopi

In the previous column on this website, I wrote about my visit to the "National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame" in Chicago. I also mentioned how, while there, I thought of a certain Italian-American Major League Baseball player who was neither honored in the Hall nor featured in any of its exhibits. He was a player I had truly loved. This time, I would like to talk about him. Jason Giambi. He made his Major League debut with the Oakland Athletics in 1995 and quickly ma

There's a major league baseball player's autobiography that deeply moved me. It's the most moving athlete autobiography I've ever read. It's the autobiography of a man who accomplished something unthinkable in Japan. "Breakout: From Prison to the Big Leagues," by Ron LeFlore with Jim Hawkins (1978, Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.) Japanese translation version of "Breakout" (1978, translated by Akio Inaba, Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) According to this autobiography, LeFlore w

I've often written about American films in the columns I've published on this website. Some of them are set in MLB, while others have no direct connection to baseball or MLB, but contain scenes that reference MLB or major leaguers. This time, I'd like to talk about what I personally consider to be the greatest of the latter. Before I discuss that film, "Murder in the First" (1995), I'd like to first say something: Even in American films that have no connection to baseball or

The American film "12 Angry Men" (1957) was made nearly 70 years ago, but even today it remains captivating, thought-provoking, and deeply moving. I think it's no wonder that many people call it a masterpiece. I love this film and have probably watched it at least 100 times on DVD. No matter how many times I watch it, I never tire of it. I'm always impressed by Reginald Rose's screenplay, Sidney Lumet's masterful direction and editing. The performances of the cast, including

I think “Every Pitcher Tells a Story” by Seth Swirsky is a wonderful book. It’s rare to find such an entertaining and thought-provoking book about Major League Baseball. “EVERY PITCHER TELLS A STORY” by Seth Swirsky (1999, Times Books, Random House) This book primarily features answers from Major League pitchers to the author’s questions. Each pitcher’s case is without exception fascinating and thought-provoking, but here I’d like to focus on Steve Carlton’s case. Steve Car

In Japan, there is a famous saying that has been passed down in relation to baseball. It is known by all baseball fans, and it is not uncommon to hear it uttered by announcers and commentators during live broadcasts of baseball games on radio and television, even during live broadcasts of Major League Baseball games. The saying goes, “The most entertaining score in baseball is 8 to 7.” Is this also said in the United States? I have never heard of it being said in United State

"Baseball: A History of America’ s Favorite Game" by George Vecsey is a fantastic book, and I think it’ s a must—read for anyone interested in Major League Baseball or who is thinking about becoming interested in it. “Baseball: A History of America’ s Favorite Game” by George Vecsey (2008, Random House Publishing Group) Japanese translation version of “Baseball: A History of America’ s Favorite Game” (translated by Yasuo Suzuki, Random House Kodansha Co., Ltd., 2007) There

This time, I’d like to talk about baseball slang. As a Japanese person living in Japan, I’m not sure how often what’s known as English baseball slang is actually used in the United States. Let me give you some examples of such slang. 1) The protagonist of the American film “Meet John Doe” (1941) starring Gary Cooper is a baseball player. As for what level of baseball player he is, the protagonist himself refers to himself as a “bush league” baseball player. In this old 1941

The home run-robbing catch, where an outfielder jumps at the fence to catch a ball that is far enough away to be a home run and make an out, is a truly fascinating play for fans. It may even be said that this is the play in outfield defense that delights fans the most. Unfortunately, however, home run-robbing catches are extremely rare in Japanese professional baseball. Because the outfield fences are so high in Japan, outfielders often can’t make home run-robbing catches si

From the late 1940s to the early 1960s, the New York Yankees had a great catcher named Yogi Berra, who was selected as the regular season MVP three times and whose name will forever remain in the history of MLB. The Yankees were in a golden age during Yogi Berra's time with the team, and he won the World Series a total of 10 times. Yogi Berra is also an unforgettable Major League Baseball player for me. I became an avid MLB fan after watching a Yankees game live at the stad

Recently, I learned that there are quite a few young people who don't know the extremely famous Christmas song, "White Christmas." I wasn't surprised by this fact, because "White Christmas" is an old song and people have different interests. But then it occurred to me. There are some things about "White Christmas" that even older people don't realize. So, this time I'll be talking about "White Christmas." "White Christmas" was first sung by Bing Crosby, the lead actor in th

Since this year’s MLB schedule ended, several new managerial and coaching appointments have been announced. Some of these announcements have been what I consider to be rare or bold, such as Kurt Suzuki being named the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels and Tony Vitello being named the new manager of the San Francisco Giants. Kurt Suzuki, who played as a catcher in the major leagues for 16 years, retired in 2022, only three years ago, and he's still young at 42. It's fair

The Los Angeles Dodgers have established the Roy Campanella Award. Each year, players and coaches vote for one player who, like Roy Campanella, demonstrates leadership and spiritual strength within the team. The award was established in 2006, and this year marks its 20th anniversary. It was announced on September 20th that Miguel Rojas has been selected as the 2025 recipient for the second consecutive year, following last year. Besides Rojas, three other players have been se

One hundred years ago, in 1925, a remarkable event took place in Major League Baseball. This year, 2025, marks the 100th anniversary of that event, yet it's not even mentioned in Japan. What about in the United States? That remarkable event was Rogers Hornsby winning the Triple Crown. This was Hornsby's second Triple Crown. He was the first player in Major League Baseball history to win the Triple Crown twice (later Ted Williams was the only player to do so twice). Furthermo