Nippon Professional Baseball Most Valuable Player Award Explained

The is an annual Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) award given to two outstanding players, one each for the Central League (CL) and Pacific League (PL).

Each league's award is voted on by national baseball writers.^[1] Each voter selects three players: a first-place selection is given five points, a second-place selection three points, and a third-place selection one point. The award goes to the player who receives the most overall points.^[2] The winners are announced every year in November during Nippon Professional Baseball's awards ceremony called NBP Awards.

The first recipient of the award was Eiji Sawamura.^[3] The most recent winners, in 2023, are Shōki Murakami, from the Central League, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, from the Pacific League.^[4] In 1940, Victor Starffin became the first player to win the award consecutively and multiple times.^[3] Eiji Sawamura and Kazuhisa Inao are the youngest players to receive the awards in 1937 and 1957, respectively, at the ages of 20.^[5] In 1988, Hiromitsu Kadota became the oldest player to receive the award at the age of 40.^[6]

A majority of the MVP awards were given to players who played on the pennant winning team. There are a few cases where the MVP was awarded to a player who was not on the pennant winning team, however. These include 2 of Oh's MVP seasons in 1964 and 1974, Wladimir Balentien in 2013, Hisashi Iwakuma in 2008, and Hiromitsu Kadota in 1988. Only twice was the award given to a foreigner in both leagues; in 1989 with Ralph Bryant in the Pacific League and Warren Cromartie in the Central League, and in 2001 with Tuffy Rhodes in the Pacific League and Roberto Petagine in the Central League.

Key

Position players	RBIs	Runs batted in
	AVG	Batting average
Pitchers	Record	Record of decisions (tie games are omitted)
	Saves	Number of saves
	ERA	Earned run average
(#)	Indicates number of times winning MVP Award (if multiple winner)
	Elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame^[7]

Winners

Japanese Baseball League (1937 - 1949)

Season	Player	Team	Position	Selected statistics	Notes
		Tokyo Kyojin	Pitcher	0.81 earned run average 196 strikeouts 24 - 4 record in 30 appearances (24 games started)	^[8]
		Korakuen Eagles	Catcher	.310 batting average 24 runs scored 17 doubles	^[9]
		Tokyo Senators	Second baseman	.299 batting average 5 home runs 11 doubles	^[10]
		Tokyo Kyojin	Outfielder	.361 batting average 10 home runs 38 RBIs	^[11]
		Tokyo Kyojin	Pitcher	282 strikeouts 38 complete games 42 - 15 record in 68 appearances (41 games started)	^[12]
	(2)	Tokyo Kyojin	Pitcher	0.97 earned run average 16 shutouts 38 - 12 record in 55 appearances (42 games started)
		Tokyo Kyojin	First baseman	.310 batting average 21 doubles 57 RBIs	^[13]
		Tokyo Kyojin	Second baseman	.225 batting average 10 doubles 16 RBIs	^[14]
		Tokyo Kyojin	Outfielder	.300 batting average 68 runs scored 54 stolen bases	^[15]
		Hanshin Baseball Club	Pitcher	1.56 earned run average 24 complete games 22 - 4 record in 31 appearances (24 games started)	^[16]
	Season canceled
		Great Ring	Infielder	.314 batting average 95 RBIs 32 stolen bases	^[17]
	(2)	Osaka Tigers	Pitcher	2.09 earned run average 10 shutouts 26 - 12 record in 43 appearances (35 games started)
	(2)	Nankai Hawks	Third baseman	.305 batting average 68 RBIs 23 stolen bases
		Osaka Tigers	Third baseman	.332 batting average 46 home runs 142 RBIs	^[18]

Nippon Professional Baseball (1950 - present)

Central League

Season	Player	Team	Position	Selected statistics	Notes
		Shochiku Robins	Outfielder	.355 batting average 51 home runs 161 RBIs	^[19]
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.377 batting average 27 doubles 81 RBIs
		Yomiuri Giants	Pitcher	1.94 earned run average 371 innings pitched 33 - 13 record in 52 appearances (41 games started)	^[20]
		Yomiuri Giants	Pitcher	1.86 earned run average 22 complete games 27 - 6 record in 43 appearances (29 games started)	^[21]
		Chunichi Dragons	Pitcher	1.39 earned run average 395 innings pitched 32 - 12 record in 63 appearances (32 games started)	^[22]
	(3)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.338 batting average 12 home runs 79 RBIs
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	Pitcher	1.93 earned run average 26 complete games 27 - 15 record in 54 appearances (35 games started)
		Yomiuri Giants	Outfielder	.343 batting average 12 home runs 48 RBIs	^[23]
		Yomiuri Giants	Pitcher	1.53 earned run average 359 innings pitched 29 - 13 record in 58 appearances (36 games started)	^[24]
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	Pitcher	1.83 earned run average 24 complete games 27 - 11 record in 55 appearances (35 games started)
		Taiyo Whales	Pitcher	1.75 earned run average 262 innings pitched 21 - 10 record in 59 appearances (26 games started)	^[25]
		Yomiuri Giants	Third baseman	.353 batting average 28 home runs 32 doubles	^[26]
		Osaka Tigers	Pitcher	1.20 earned run average 366 innings pitched 25 - 14 record in 57 appearances (38 games started)	^[27]
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	Third baseman	.341 batting average 37 home runs 112 RBIs
		Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.320 batting average 55 home runs 119 RBIs	^[28]
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.322 batting average 42 home runs 104 RBIs
	(3)	Yomiuri Giants	Third baseman	.344 batting average 26 home runs 105 RBIs
	(3)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.326 batting average 47 home runs 108 RBIs
	(4)	Yomiuri Giants	Third baseman	.318 batting average 39 home runs 125 RBIs
	(4)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.345 batting average 44 home runs 125 RBIs
	(5)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.325 batting average 47 home runs 93 RBIs
	Shigeo Nagashima (5)	Yomiuri Giants	Third baseman	.320 batting average 34 home runs 86 RBIs
		Yomiuri Giants	Pitcher	2.91 earned run average 26 complete games 26 - 9 record in 48 appearances (34 games started)	^[29]
	(6)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.355 batting average 51 home runs 114 RBIs
	(7)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.332 batting average 49 home runs 107 RBIs
		Hiroshima Toyo Carp	Outfielder	.319 batting average 86 runs scored 84 RBIs	^[30]
	(8)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.325 batting average 49 home runs 123 RBIs
	(9)	Yomiuri Giants	First baseman	.324 batting average 50 home runs 124 RBIs
		Yakult Swallows	Outfielder	.341 batting average 100 runs scored 71 RBIs	^[31]
		Hiroshima Toyo Carp	Relief pitcher	2.67 earned run average 22 saves 9 - 5 record in 55 appearances	^[32]
	(2)	Hiroshima Toyo Carp	Outfielder	.336 batting average 44 home runs 112 RBIs
		Yomiuri Giants	Starting pitcher	2.28 earned run average 20 complete games 20 - 6 record in 31 appearances (30 games started)
		Chunichi Dragons	Catcher	.282 batting average 18 home runs 47 RBIs	^[33]
		Yomiuri Giants	Third baseman	.302 batting average 32 home runs 103 RBIs	^[34]
		Hiroshima Toyo Carp	Infielder	.329 batting average 31 home runs 102 RBIs	^[35]
		Hanshin Tigers	First baseman	.350 batting average 54 home runs 134 RBIs	^[36]
		Hiroshima Toyo Carp	Starting pitcher	2.43 earned run average 17 complete games 18 - 4 record in 30 games started	^[37]
		Yomiuri Giants	Catcher	.273 batting average 22 home runs 66 RBIs	^[38]
		Chunichi Dragons	Relief pitcher	1.95 earned run average 37 saves 7 - 6 record in 61 appearances	^[39]
		Yomiuri Giants	Outfielder	.378 batting average 72 RBIs 33 doubles	^[40]
		Yomiuri Giants	Starting pitcher	2.17 earned run average 19 complete games 20 - 5 record in 27 games started	^[41]
		Hiroshima Toyo Carp	Starting pitcher	2.44 earned run average 240 innings pitched 17 - 9 record in 33 appearances (31 games started)	^[42]
		Yakult Swallows	Third baseman	.331 batting average 87 RBIs 38 home runs	^[43]
		Yakult Swallows	Catcher	.308 batting average 64.4 caught stealing percentage 90 runs scored	^[44] ^[45]
		Yomiuri Giants	Starting pitcher	2.52 earned run average 185 strikeouts 14 - 11 record in 28 appearances (27 games started)	^[46]
		Yakult Swallows	First baseman	.302 batting average 31 home runs 87 RBIs	^[47]
		Yomiuri Giants	Outfielder	.314 batting average 38 home runs 97 runs scored	^[48]
	(2)	Yakult Swallows	Catcher	.322 batting average 32 doubles 86 RBIs
		Yokohama BayStars	Relief pitcher	0.64 earned run average 45 saves 1 - 1 record in 51 appearances	^[49]
		Chunichi Dragons	Starting pitcher	2.65 earned run average 203 innings pitched 19 - 7 record in 29 games started	^[50]
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	Outfielder	.316 batting average 42 home runs 108 RBIs
		Yakult Swallows	First baseman	.322 batting average 39 home runs 127 RBIs	^[51]
	(3)	Yomiuri Giants	Outfielder	.334 batting average 50 home runs 107 RBIs
		Hanshin Tigers	Starting pitcher	2.80 earned run average 206 innings pitched 20 - 5 record in 29 games started	^[52]
		Chunichi Dragons	Starting pitcher	3.32 earned run average 192 innings pitched 17 - 7 record in 27 games started	^[53]
		Hanshin Tigers	Outfielder	.327 batting average 40 home runs 120 runs scored	^[54]
		Chunichi Dragons	Outfielder	.351 batting average 47 doubles 117 runs scored	^[55]
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	Third baseman	.313 batting average 31 home runs 95 runs scored	^[56]
		Yomiuri Giants	Outfielder	.319 batting average 45 home runs 125 RBIs	^[57]
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	Outfielder	.322 batting average 31 home runs 103 RBIs	^[58]
		Chunichi Dragons	Outfielder	.339 batting average 37 home runs 93 RBIs	^[59]
		Chunichi Dragons	Relief pitcher	0.41 earned run average 45 holds 7 - 2 record in 79 appearances	^[60] ^[61]
		Yomiuri Giants	Catcher	.340 batting average 27 home runs 104 RBIs	^[62]
		Tokyo Yakult Swallows	Outfielder	.330 batting average 60 home runs 131 RBIs	^[63]
		Yomiuri Giants	Starting pitcher	2.33 earned run average 122 strikeouts 12 - 5 record in 23 games started	^[64]
		Tokyo Yakult Swallows	Second baseman	.329 batting average 38 home runs 34 stolen bases	^[65]
		Hiroshima Toyo Carp	First baseman	.300 batting average 19 home runs 101 RBIs	^[66]
		Hiroshima Toyo Carp	Outfielder	.308 batting average 109 runs scored 92 RBIs	^[67]
	(2)	Hiroshima Toyo Carp	Outfielder	.306 batting average 39 home runs 97 RBIs
		Yomiuri Giants	Shortstop	.312 batting average 40 home runs 94 RBIs	^[68] ^[69]
	(2)	Yomiuri Giants	Pitcher	14 wins 1.97 ERA 131 strikeouts	^[70]
		Tokyo Yakult Swallows	Third baseman	39 HR 112 RBI 106 BB
	(2)	Tokyo Yakult Swallows	Third baseman	56 HR 134 RBI .458 OBP
		Hanshin Tigers	Pitcher	10 wins 1.75 ERA 137 strikeouts	^[71]

Pacific League

Season	Player	Team	Position	Selected statistics	Notes
		Mainichi Orions	Outfielder	.335 batting average 43 home runs 105 RBIs	^[72]
	(3)	Nankai Hawks	Second baseman	.311 batting average 21 doubles 58 RBIs
		Nankai Hawks	Pitcher	1.91 earned run average 104 strikeouts 19 - 7 record in 40 appearances (17 games started)	^[73]
		Nankai Hawks	Second baseman	.318 batting average 19 home runs 77 RBIs	^[74]
		Nishitetsu Lions	Outfielder	.321 batting average 22 home runs 88 RBIs	^[75]
		Nankai Hawks	Outfielder	.310 batting average 42 stolen bases 75 RBIs	^[76]
		Nishitetsu Lions	Third baseman	.325 batting average 29 home runs 95 RBIs	^[77]
		Nishitetsu Lions	Pitcher	1.37 earned run average 373 innings pitched 35 - 6 record in 68 appearances (33 games started)	^[78]
	(2)	Nishitetsu Lions	Pitcher	1.42 earned run average 373 innings pitched 33 - 10 record in 72 appearances (31 games started)
		Nankai Hawks	Pitcher	1.40 earned run average 336 strikeouts 38 - 4 record in 69 appearances (35 games started)	^[79]
		Daimai Orions	Outfielder	.313 batting average 32 home runs 103 RBIs	^[80]
		Nankai Hawks	Catcher	.296 batting average 29 home runs 89 RBIs	^[81]
		Toei Flyers	Outfielder	.333 batting average 31 home runs 99 RBIs	^[82]
	(2)	Nankai Hawks	Catcher	.291 batting average 52 home runs 135 RBIs
		Nankai Hawks	Pitcher	2.40 earned run average 172 strikeouts 26 - 7 record in 47 appearances (43 games started)	^[83]
	(3)	Nankai Hawks	Catcher	.320 batting average 42 home runs 110 RBIs
	(4)	Nankai Hawks	Catcher	.312 batting average 34 home runs 97 RBIs
		Hankyu Braves	Pitcher	1.75 earned run average 17 complete games 20 - 10 record in 43 appearances (29 games started)	^[84]
		Hankyu Braves	Pitcher	2.79 earned run average 22 complete games 29 - 13 record in 63 appearances (43 games started)	^[85]
		Hankyu Braves	Outfielder	.316 batting average 41 home runs 101 RBIs	^[86]
		Lotte Orions	Pitcher	2.53 earned run average 20 complete games 21 - 10 record in 42 appearances (35 games started)	^[87]
	(2)	Hankyu Braves	Outfielder	.317 batting average 40 home runs 114 RBIs
		Hankyu Braves	Outfielder	.301 batting average 106 stolen bases 99 runs	^[88]
	(5)	Nankai Hawks	Catcher	.309 batting average 28 stolen bases 96 RBIs
		Lotte Orions	Pitcher	2.90 earned run average 138 strikeouts 16 - 7 record in 36 appearances (29 games started)	^[89]
		Hankyu Braves	First baseman	.309 batting average 32 home runs 97 RBIs	^[90]
		Hankyu Braves	Pitcher	2.39 earned run average 23 complete games 26 - 7 record in 39 appearances (27 games started)	^[91]
	(2)	Hankyu Braves	Pitcher	2.28 earned run average 20 complete games 16 - 10 record in 44 appearances (25 games started)
	(3)	Hankyu Braves	Pitcher	2.66 earned run average 20 complete games 18 - 4 record in 35 appearances (25 games started)
		Kintetsu Buffaloes	Outfielder	.324 batting average 37 home runs 94 RBIs	^[92]
		Nippon Ham Fighters	Pitcher	2.28 earned run average 225 strikeouts 22 - 8 record in 40 appearances (26 games started)	^[93]
	(2)	Nippon Ham Fighters	Pitcher	2.82 earned run average 25 saves 3 - 6 record in 45 appearances
		Lotte Orions	Second baseman	.325 batting average 32 home runs 99 RBIs	^[94]
		Seibu Lions	Pitcher	2.92 earned run average 213 innings pitched 18 - 9 record in 32 appearances (29 games started)	^[95]
		Hankyu Braves	First baseman	.355 batting average 37 home runs 130 RBIs	^[96]
	(2)	Lotte Orions	Infielder	.367 batting average 52 home runs 146 RBIs
		Seibu Lions	Shortstop	.329 batting average 91 runs 27 home runs	^[97]
	(2)	Seibu Lions	Starting pitcher	3.27 earned run average 17 complete games 15 - 9 record in 28 appearances (27 games started)
		Nankai Hawks	Outfielder	.311 batting average 44 home runs 125 RBIs	^[98]
		Kintetsu Buffaloes	Outfielder	.283 batting average 49 home runs 121 RBIs	^[99]
		Kintetsu Buffaloes	Starting pitcher	2.91 earned run average 235 innings pitched 18 - 8 record in 29 appearances (27 games started)	^[100]
		Seibu Lions	Starting pitcher	2.59 earned run average 12 complete games 15 - 6 record in 24 appearances (23 games started)	^[101]
		Seibu Lions	Pitcher	1.94 earned run average 148 innings pitched 15 - 3 record in 27 appearances (19 games started)	^[102]
		Seibu Lions	Starting pitcher	2.06 earned run average 170 innings pitched 15 - 3 record in 24 appearances (23 games started)	^[103]
		Orix BlueWave	Outfielder	.385 batting average 41 doubles 111 runs	^[104]
	(2)	Orix BlueWave	Outfielder	.342 batting average 49 stolen bases 104 runs
	(3)	Orix BlueWave	Outfielder	.356 batting average 35 stolen bases 104 runs
		Seibu Lions	Pitcher	3.12 earned run average 207 innings pitched 15 - 5 record in 32 appearances (26 games started)	^[105]
		Seibu Lions	Shortstop	.311 batting average 92 runs 38 doubles	^[106]
	(2)	Fukuoka Daiei Hawks	Starting pitcher	2.38 earned run average 196 innings pitched 11 - 7 record in 26 games started
		Fukuoka Daiei Hawks	First baseman	.312 batting average 33 home runs 106 RBIs	^[107]
		Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes	Outfielder	.327 batting average 55 home runs 137 runs	^[108]
		Seibu Lions	First baseman	.336 batting average 55 home runs 115 RBIs	^[109]
		Fukuoka Daiei Hawks	Catcher	.330 batting average 34 home runs 119 RBIs	^[110]
	(2)	Fukuoka Daiei Hawks	First baseman	.358 batting average 44 home runs 120 RBIs
		Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks	Starting pitcher	2.11 earned run average 218 strikeouts 18 - 4 record in 26 games started	^[111]
		Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters	First baseman	.313 batting average 32 home runs 100 RBIs
		Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters	Starting pitcher	1.82 earned run average 210 strikeouts 15 - 5 record in 26 games started	^[112]
		Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles	Starting pitcher	1.87 earned run average 201 innings pitched 21 - 4 record in 28 games started	^[113]
	(2)	Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters	Pitcher	1.73 earned run average 8 complete games 15 - 5 record in 23 games started	^[114]
		Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks	Starting pitcher	3.14 earned run average 169 strikeouts 17 - 8 record in 26 games started	^[115]
		Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks	First baseman	.338 batting average 12 home runs 74 RBIs	^[116]
		Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters	Starting pitcher	1.71 earned run average 158 strikeouts 14 - 5 record in 25 games started	^[117]
		Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles	Starting pitcher	1.71 earned run average 212 innings pitched 24 - 0 record in 28 appearances (27 games started)	^[118]
		Orix Buffaloes	Pitcher	1.98 earned run average 199 strikeouts 16 - 5 record in 26 games started	^[119]
		Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks	Outfielder	.363 batting average 34 home runs 110 runs	^[120]
		Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters	Starting pitcher/Designated hitter	.322 batting average 1.86 earned run average 10 - 4 record in 21 appearances (20 games started)	^[121]
		Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks	Pitcher	1.09 earned run average 54 saves 2 - 2 record in 66 appearances	^[122]
		Saitama Seibu Lions	First baseman	.281 batting average 47 home runs 124 RBIs	^[123]
		Saitama Seibu Lions	Catcher	.329 batting average 23 home runs 105 RBIs	^[124]
	(2)	Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks	Outfielder	.342 batting average 29 home runs 86 RBIs	^[125] ^[126]
		Orix Buffaloes	Pitcher	18-5 record 206 K 193.2 IP 1.39 ERA
	(2)	Orix Buffaloes	Pitcher	15-5 record 193 IP 1.68 ERA
	(3)	Orix Buffaloes	Pitcher	16-6 record 164 IP 1.69 ERA	^[127]

Multiple winners

There have been 22 players who have won the award multiple times. Sadaharu Oh currently holds the record for the most awards won, with nine. Hisashi Yamada (1976 - 1978) and Ichiro Suzuki (1994 - 1996) share the record for the most consecutive awards won. Yutaka Enatsu and Michihiro Ogasawara are the only players to have won the award in both the Central League and Pacific League. Alex Ramírez is the only non-Japanese player receive the award multiple times after the formation of two league system.

Player	League	of Awards	Seasons
	Central	9	1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977
	Central	5	1961, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1971
	Pacific	5	1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1973
	JBL/Pacific	3	1946, 1948, 1951
	JBL/Central	3	1941, 1951, 1955
	Pacific	3	1976, 1977, 1978
	Pacific	3	1994, 1995, 1996
	Central	3	1996, 2000, 2002
	Pacific	3	2021, 2022, 2023
	JBL	2	1939, 1940
	JBL	2	1944, 1947
	Central	2	1952, 1956
	Pacific	2	1957, 1958
	Central	2	1958, 1959
	Pacific	2	1969, 1971
	Central	2	1975, 1980
	Both	2	1979, 1981
	Pacific	2	1982, 1985
	Pacific	2	1983, 1987
	Central	2	1993, 1997
	Pacific	2	1993, 1999
	Pacific	2	2000, 2004
	Both	2	2006, 2007
	Pacific	2	2007, 2009
	Central	2	2008, 2009
	Central	2	2017, 2018
	Central	2	2014, 2020
	Pacific	2	2015, 2020
	Central	2	2021, 2022

Notes

• The save statistic was not formally recorded in the NPB until the 1974 season.^[128]
• The 1945 Japanese Baseball League was cancelled due to World War II.^[129]
• After 1958, Kazuto Yamamoto became known as Kazuto Tsuruoka.
• Tetsuharu Kawakami received his first MVP award in 1941, nine years before the formation of Nippon Professional Baseball.

See also

• Nippon Professional Baseball#Awards
• Baseball awards#Japan
• List of Nippon Professional Baseball earned run average champions
• Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize
• Athlete of the Year
• Most valuable player
• Player of the year award

Notes

General

• Web site: 最優秀選手（１リーグ） . MVPs (1 League) . . ja . February 5, 2020.
• Web site: セ・リーグ歴代ＭＶＰ . Central League Past MVPs . ja . . . February 5, 2020.
• Web site: パ・リーグ歴代ＭＶＰ . Pacific League Past MVPs . ja . . . February 5, 2020.

• Web site: List of Hall of Famers . . February 5, 2020.

Specific

References

• Book: Johnson, Daniel E. . Japanese Baseball: A Statistical Handbook . McFarland & Company . July 2006 . 978-0-7864-2841-0.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ogasawara, Fukudome given MVP awards for 2006 season . November 15, 2006 . September 6, 2009 . . Nagatsuka, Kaz.
2. Web site: 2018年度 表彰選手 投票結果（最優秀選手）. 2018 Player Awards Voting Results (Most Valuable Player) . November 1, 2018 . . ja.
3. Web site: http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/contents/baseball/record/1_mvp.htm . ja:１リーグ 最優秀選手 . . ja . September 6, 2009.
4. News: japannews.yomiuri.co.jp. 2023-09-23. Japan baseball stars Munetaka Murakami and Yoshinobu Yamamoto earn MVP honors .
5. Web site: Darvish, Ogasawara earn MVP honors . November 21, 2007 . September 6, 2009 . The Japan Times.
6. Web site: Kadota, Hiromitsu . September 8, 2009 . The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
7. Web site: Hall of Famers List . . September 8, 2009.
8. Web site: Eiji Sawamura Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
9. Web site: Bucky Harris Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
10. Web site: Hisanori Karita Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
11. Web site: Haruyasu Hakajima Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
12. Web site: Victor Starfin Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
13. Web site: Tetsuharu Kawakami Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
14. Web site: Shigeru Mizuhara Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
15. Web site: Shosei Go Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
16. Web site: Tadashi Wakabayashi Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
17. Web site: Kazuto Tsuruoka Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
18. Web site: Fumio Fujimura Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
19. Web site: Makoto Kozuru Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
20. Web site: Takehiko Bessho Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
21. Web site: Takumi Otomo Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
22. Web site: Shigeru Sugishita Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
23. Web site: Wally Yonamine Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
24. Web site: Motoshi Fujita Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
25. Web site: Noboru Akiyama Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
26. Web site: Shigeo Nagashima Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
27. Web site: Minoru Murayama Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
28. Web site: Sadaharu Oh Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
29. Web site: Tsuneo Horiuchi Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
30. Web site: Koji Yamamoto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
31. Web site: Tsutomu Wakamatsu Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
32. Web site: Yutaka Enatsu Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
33. Web site: Takayoshi Nakao Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
34. Web site: Tatsunori Hara Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
35. Web site: Sachio Kinugasa Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
36. Web site: Randy Bass Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
37. Web site: Manabu Kitabeppu Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
38. Web site: Kazuhiro Yamakura Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
39. Web site: Genji Kaku Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
40. Web site: Warren Cromartie Minor, Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
41. Web site: Masaki Saito Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
42. Web site: Shinji Sasaoka Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
43. Web site: Jack Howell Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
44. Web site: Atsuya Furuta Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
45. Web site: 古田超えだ！巨人・小林、"鬼肩"で盗塁阻止率の記録更新に意欲 . ja . . . October 23, 2019 . December 17, 2014.
46. Web site: Masumi Kuwata Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
47. Web site: Tom O'Malley Minor, Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
48. Web site: Hideki Matsui Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
49. Web site: Kazuhiro Sasaki Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
50. Web site: Shigeki Noguchi Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
51. Web site: Roberto Petagine Minor, Japanese, Mexican & Korean Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
52. Web site: Kei Igawa Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
53. Web site: Kenshin Kawakami Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
54. Web site: Tomoaki Kanemoto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
55. Web site: Kosuke Fukudome Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
56. Web site: Michihiro Ogasawara Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
57. Web site: Álex Ramírez Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
58. Web site: http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/contents/baseball/record/ce_mvp.htm . ja:セ・リーグ 最優秀選手 . . ja . September 6, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100812030413/http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/contents/baseball/record/ce_mvp.htm . August 12, 2010 .
59. Web site: Kazuhiro Wada Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
60. Web site: Kazuhiro Wada Japanese & Winter Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
61. Web site: 2011 Central League Qualifiers for Earned-Run Average Title & Top Relief Pitchers . . October 24, 2019.
62. Web site: Shinnosuke Abe Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
63. Web site: Wladimir Balentien Minor, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
64. Web site: Tomoyuki Sugano Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
65. Web site: Tetsuto Yamada Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
66. Web site: Takahiro Arai Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
67. Web site: Yoshihiro Maru Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 24, 2019.
68. Web site: Hayato Sakamoto, Tomoya Mori named league MVPs . Japan Times. Coskrey. Jason . 26 November 2019 . December 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191128004856/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/11/26/baseball/japanese-baseball/hayato-sakamototomoya-mori-named-league-mvps/. 28 November 2019.
69. Web site: Hayato Sakamoto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . December 3, 2019.
70. Web site: Tomoyuki Sugano Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . 3 November 2021.
71. Web site: Tigers rookie Murakami and Orix ace Yamamoto named MVPS . . April 1, 2024 . 29 November 2023 .
72. Web site: Kaoru Betto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 23, 2019.
73. Web site: Susumu Yuki Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
74. Web site: Isami Okamoto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
75. Web site: Hiroshi Oshita Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
76. Web site: Tokuji Iida Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
77. Web site: Futoshi Nakanishi Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
78. Web site: Kazuhisa Inao Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
79. Web site: Tadashi Sugiura Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
80. Web site: Kazuhiro Yamauchi Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
81. Web site: Katsuya Nomura Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
82. Web site: Isao Harimoto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
83. Web site: Joe Stanka Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 27, 2019.
84. Web site: Mitsuhiro Adachi Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
85. Web site: Tetsuya Yoneda Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
86. Web site: Atsushi Nagaike Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
87. Web site: Masaaki Kitaru Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
88. Web site: Yutaka Fukumoto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
89. Web site: Tamehiro Kaneda Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
90. Web site: Hideji Kato Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
91. Web site: Hisashi Yamada Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
92. Web site: Charlie Manuel Minor, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 28, 2019.
93. Web site: Isamu Kida Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
94. Web site: Hiromitsu Ochiai Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
95. Web site: Osamu Higashio Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
96. Web site: Greg Wells Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
97. Web site: Hiromichi Ishige Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
98. Web site: Hiromitsu Kadota Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
99. Web site: Ralph Bryant Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
100. Web site: Hideo Nomo Japanese, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
101. Web site: Taigen Kaku Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
102. Web site: Takehiro Ishii Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
103. Web site: Kimiyasu Kudo Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
104. Web site: Ichiro Suzuki Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
105. Web site: Fumiya Nishiguchi Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
106. Web site: Kazuo Matsui Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
107. Web site: Nobuhiko Matsunaka Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
108. Web site: Tuffy Rhodes Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 29, 2019.
109. Web site: Alex Cabrera Minor, Mexican, Japanese & Winter Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
110. Web site: Kenji Johjima Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
111. Web site: Toshiya Sugiuchi Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
112. Web site: Yu Darvish Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
113. Web site: Hisashi Iwakuma Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
114. Web site: http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/contents/baseball/record/pa_mvp.htm . ja:パ・リーグ 最優秀選手 . . ja . September 6, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100812030341/http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/contents/baseball/record/pa_mvp.htm . August 12, 2010 .
115. Web site: Tsuyoshi Wada Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
116. Web site: Seiichi Uchikawa Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
117. Web site: Mitsuo Yoshikawa Japanese & Winter Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
118. Web site: Masahiro Tanaka Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
119. Web site: Chihiro Kaneko Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
120. Web site: Yuki Yanagita Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
121. Web site: Shohei Ohtani Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
122. Web site: Dennis Sarfate Minor, Fall, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
123. Web site: Hotaka Yamakawa Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . October 31, 2019.
124. Web site: Tomoya Mori Japanese Leagues Statistics & History . . December 3, 2019.
125. Web site: Tomoyuki Sugano and Yuki Yanagita win MVP honors in NPB . Japan Times . 17 December 2020 . 18 December 2020.
126. Web site: Players . Nippon Professional Baseball . 18 December 2020.
127. Web site: Tigers rookie Murakami and Orix ace Yamamoto named MVPS . . April 1, 2024 . 29 November 2023 .
128. Web site: http://fan.npb.or.jp/60th/history/1974.html . ja:1974年 . ja . . September 8, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090601234540/http://fan.npb.or.jp/60th/history/1974.html . June 1, 2009 .
129. Book: Fitts, Robert K. . Wally Yonamine: The Man Who Changed Japanese Baseball . . September 2008. 978-0-8032-1381-4 . 3.