The Most Famous Baseball Player in Japan, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the baseball player you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 6, 2024 07:03

Determining who holds the title of the most famous baseball player in Japan is an engaging topic for fans and sports enthusiasts alike. The passion for baseball in Japan runs deep, making it a topic of lively discussion and friendly debate. By establishing a ranking through votes, a clearer picture of fan preferences and cultural impact becomes possible, which adds a richer layer to the appreciation of the sport. This ranking system offers everyone a chance to contribute their opinion and to see how their views compare with others. As votes accumulate, the list dynamically adjusts, reflecting new opinions and possibly uncovering lesser-known players who are making a significant impact. The outcome not only feeds curiosity but also enhances the community's interaction around the sport of baseball in Japan.

Who Is the Most Famous Baseball Player in Japan?

1

27
votes
Rick Dikeman · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro is arguably the most famous baseball player in Japan. He spent the majority of his career playing in the MLB where he was a 10-time All-Star and a 10-time Gold Glove winner. He also won two batting titles, an AL MVP award, and a Rookie of the Year award. Ichiro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
Ichiro Suzuki in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous athlete in Japan
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Mariners player
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person in Japan
2

39
votes

User Mori Chan on Flickr (Original version) User UCinternational (Crop) · CC BY 2.0

Sadaharu Oh

Oh is a retired Japanese baseball player and manager who is considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. He played for the Yomiuri Giants for 22 seasons and hit a record 868 home runs. As a manager, he led the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks to four Japan Series championships.
3

38
votes
Keith Allison · CC BY-SA 2.0

Hideki Matsui

Matsui is a retired Japanese baseball player who played in the MLB for ten seasons. He was a three-time All-Star and won the World Series MVP award in 2009 while playing for the New York Yankees. Matsui also won three Japan Series championships while playing for the Yomiuri Giants.
Hideki Matsui in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Japanese person
4

12
votes

Ship1231 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani is a current MLB player who is known for his two-way skills as a pitcher and a hitter. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2018 and was selected to the All-Star Game in 2021. Ohtani also played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan before coming to the MLB.
5

17
votes

User CFIF on en.wikipedia · Public domain

Hideo Nomo

Nomo is a retired Japanese baseball player who played in the MLB for 12 seasons. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1995 and was selected to the All-Star Game twice. Nomo also played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Hanshin Tigers in Japan.
6

3
votes

Cake6 (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Tuffy Rhodes

Rhodes is a retired American baseball player who played in Japan for 13 seasons. He is best known for hitting three home runs on Opening Day in 1996, a feat that had never been accomplished before in Japanese baseball. Rhodes also won three home run titles and was named to the Best Nine team three times.
7

6
votes

Arturo Pardavila III on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) · CC BY 2.0

Masahiro Tanaka

Tanaka is a current MLB player who spent the majority of his career playing for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan. He was a two-time Pacific League MVP and won the Japan Series championship in 2013. Tanaka has also been selected to the All-Star Game twice while playing for the New York Yankees.
8

9
votes

Ogiyoshisan · CC BY-SA 3.0

Kazuhiro Sasaki

Sasaki is a retired Japanese baseball player who played in the MLB for four seasons. He was a two-time All-Star and won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2000 while playing for the Seattle Mariners. Sasaki also played for the Yokohama BayStars and the Hanshin Tigers in Japan.
9

9
votes
ベースボール・マガジン社 · Public domain

Shigeo Nagashima

Nagashima is a retired Japanese baseball player and manager who spent his entire career with the Yomiuri Giants. He won nine Japan Series championships as a player and led the Giants to five more championships as a manager. Nagashima was also a 17-time All-Star and won seven batting titles.
Shigeo Nagashima in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous athlete in Japan
10

2
votes

User BurmaShaver on en.wikipedia · Public domain

Tsuyoshi Shinjo

Shinjo is a retired Japanese baseball player who played in the MLB for four seasons. He was known for his flashy style and was a fan favorite in both Japan and the United States. Shinjo also won four Japan Series championships while playing for the Yomiuri Giants.

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Ranking factors for famous baseball player

Performance on the field

The player's statistics, records, and achievements which showcase his talent and skill.
Popularity

The player's popularity among the fans, the media, and within the baseball community, both nationally and internationally.
Longevity

The player's career span and consistency in the league, including his ability to stay healthy and play at a high level for an extended period.
Impact

The player's influence on the sport, both as a player and a cultural icon, including his role in increasing interest in baseball in Japan and inspiring future generations of players.
Awards and Honours

The player's recognition of their achievements both in Japan and abroad.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous baseball player in Japan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or player is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2143 views
162 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each player once every 24 hours. The rank of each player is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous baseball player in japan

Baseball has been a popular sport in Japan for over a century, with the first professional league established in 1936. Since then, the sport has gained a massive following in the country, with the Japanese Baseball League considered one of the best in the world. Several players have become household names in Japan due to their outstanding performances and exceptional skills on the field. However, one name that stands out and is recognized as the most famous baseball player in Japan is Ichiro Suzuki. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Ichiro captivated Japanese fans with his speed, agility, and hitting prowess. He is known for his remarkable accomplishment of achieving 3,000 hits in both the MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) leagues, a feat no other player has accomplished. Ichiro's legacy as a baseball icon in Japan continues to inspire young players and fans alike, cementing his place as the most famous baseball player in the country.