The Phillies and Japan

As you read this, the Tokyo Series will be halfway done. Congratulations [Winner of First Game]. You’ll get them in the second matchup, [Loser of First Game] (I’m writing this the night before and will probably be too bleary-eyed to update it in the morning). With the endless discussion of the Dodgers’ trip abroad (the residents of Wrigleyville are there too, of course), it’s easy for fans of other clubs to feel a bit left out. Still, only two teams could be picked to make the journey, and it makes sense that the Phillies wouldn’t make the cut: only two Japanese players have ever suited up for the Phillies, neither for very long. Still, the history of baseball in Japan is long (pickup games were being played between visiting Americans and residents all the way back in 1859), so it should be no surprise that the Phillies have intersected with it at various points. While we can’t enjoy seeing our Fightins take the Tokyo Dome by storm, we can look back on the times that the Phillies found themselves connected to Japan. (We can also enjoy not having to wake up at 6 AM to watch them play.)

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