Slugging It Out in Japan: An American Major Leaguer in the Tokyo Outfield

It's a good book for those with some knowledge or basic interest in Japanese professional baseball, but for those who are only Major Leagues fans this can be very interesting too. Throughout the course of Cromartie's stay, a number of major leaguers and American players came into picture. Bill Gullickson became a teammate for a couple of seasons. Dick Davis (who later got deported for pot possession), Randy Bass, Doug DeCince, Dwight Smith, etc. were also there. There are interesting opinions and episodes about other players: Sanchez (Cal. Angels) was a teammate for 1/2 season but could get along with anyone; Shinozuka, a hitting machine and a friendly teammate; Cro's friendship with Oh; how Japan and especially the teams treated Randy Bass, who had the best single season offensive stats but was walked 4 times in the last game so he could not tie the homerun record; Kuwata, a pitching ace who befriended Gullickson; Egawa, another ace pitcher who often feigned injury to protect himself from overworking; Cro's infamous punching of a pitcher who beaned him; how most Japanese players never had much real education, as high schools were more like minor leagues, so the player mostly read mangas (comic strips) on bus rides. The issue of race and racism is also addressed: how gaijins are perceived -- which is different for Asians (especially Japanese-Korean players) and Americans, and whites and blacks. He also noted how devastated Gullickson felt after being barred from entering a restaurant because of his nationality. The span of 8 years covers a lot of insight and observations and anecdotes. Cromartie came back to the States and played his last season with the Royals as a pinch hitter/1B and finished the season with a .307 average as a part time player.Get this book. It's worth it.

Cromartie played long enough in Japan to actually develop moments of affection for the experience, a statement not normally made of foreign players. His description of the normalcy of race prejudice there will stun people from countries where such prejudice is not considered acceptable. He tells a lot about Japanese life as well as Japanese baseball from the perspective of a man who earned the respect of his Japanese teammates as a leader. I find his commentary very revealing and strongly recommend this book.

warren cromartie gives a excellent detailed view of life in the japanese big leagues inside and out.he shares his down times(yankee go home among other things)and his climb to the top of the hill(cromartie please don't retire.) warren cromartie is my favorite baseball player and if you ever wanted to know about japanese baseball this book is a must have.also what the book fails to mention is that after retiring from japan cromartie came back here in 1991 to play 1 more major league time batting .326 with 1 home run for the kansas city royals in a clutch hitter roll before being released for good in 1992 spring training.awesome player and book.

Warren Cromartie was accepted by Japan as a gaijin because he accepted Japan himself. Thru his book you will feel his ups and downs while playing for Japan's highest profile baseball team: The Kyojin's aka The Yomiuri Giants. I strongly believe that Cro stuck out 6 years in Tokyo, not because of the big bucks but his bonding and friendship with the legendary Sadaharu Oh. Thank you Cro, for sharing your experience and journey. Don't delay if you are a baseball fan, get the book today!