Brian McKenna
09-20-2007, 01:46 PM
Jap Mikado
The first-known Japanese ballplayer to play professional ball in the United States is Goro Mikami, nicknamed Jap Mikado. He hailed from Kofu, the capital of the Yamanashi Prefecture in the Chubu region of Japan’s main island of Honshu.
Mikami first visited the U.S. as a member of a touring Waseda University club in 1911. Mikami played center field and batted second. In 1905 Waseda was the first Japanese team to visit the United States. After graduating from Waseda, Mikami enrolled at Knox University in Illinois. There, he became the club’s captain.
He then played for a traveling professional club called the All-Nations of New York. This is not the club owned by John Wilkinson that became the Kansas City Monarchs. Mikami played for the All-Nations perhaps in 1914, 1915 and/or 1916. He definitely played for them in 1916. There is a copy of an August 5, 1916 box score versus the Bacharach Giants at:
http://agatetype.typepad.com/agate_type/japan/index.html
Mikami played second base and led off that day.
Mikami's WWI Draft Card states that by June 1917 he was permanently living in Paterson, NJ as an importer.
Mikami was born in Kofu, Japan on November 6, 1889. He returned to the U.S. on September 4, 1913 (in SF from Yokohama) to begin school in Illinois (Knox College in Gettysburgh, Illinois).
In Paterson, NJ (living at 559 Broadway) he worked for the Mitsui Company at 87 Front Street as an importer/merchant/salesman. Immigration record show 1919 trips to Cuba and San Juan in regard to his role as a salesman.
Mikami played exhibition games in 1914 and '15 with the All-Nations against Federal league clubs. He was the subject of a 1997 Japanese book written by Kazuo seyama called "Jap Mikado no nazo"
He may have moved to NYC.
Began playing ball at age 15.
Supposedly captain of Knox baseball team.
All-Nations disbanded in 1918.
Spent two years at Knox and then went to Illinois University to study economics.
joined Mitsui & Co., Ltd,. in 1917.
Was not involved with baseball after leaving All-Nations in 1916.
Died in 1958 of a gastric perforation.
Mikami returned to japan and became a businessman.
IUniversity of Chicago first went to Japan to play in 1910 - Waseda went to US in 1911. Mikami on that team
From New York Times:
Game on 7/1/1911
Mikami batted second and played centerfield
The first-known Japanese ballplayer to play professional ball in the United States is Goro Mikami, nicknamed Jap Mikado. He hailed from Kofu, the capital of the Yamanashi Prefecture in the Chubu region of Japan’s main island of Honshu.
Mikami first visited the U.S. as a member of a touring Waseda University club in 1911. Mikami played center field and batted second. In 1905 Waseda was the first Japanese team to visit the United States. After graduating from Waseda, Mikami enrolled at Knox University in Illinois. There, he became the club’s captain.
He then played for a traveling professional club called the All-Nations of New York. This is not the club owned by John Wilkinson that became the Kansas City Monarchs. Mikami played for the All-Nations perhaps in 1914, 1915 and/or 1916. He definitely played for them in 1916. There is a copy of an August 5, 1916 box score versus the Bacharach Giants at:
http://agatetype.typepad.com/agate_type/japan/index.html
Mikami played second base and led off that day.
Mikami's WWI Draft Card states that by June 1917 he was permanently living in Paterson, NJ as an importer.
Mikami was born in Kofu, Japan on November 6, 1889. He returned to the U.S. on September 4, 1913 (in SF from Yokohama) to begin school in Illinois (Knox College in Gettysburgh, Illinois).
In Paterson, NJ (living at 559 Broadway) he worked for the Mitsui Company at 87 Front Street as an importer/merchant/salesman. Immigration record show 1919 trips to Cuba and San Juan in regard to his role as a salesman.
Mikami played exhibition games in 1914 and '15 with the All-Nations against Federal league clubs. He was the subject of a 1997 Japanese book written by Kazuo seyama called "Jap Mikado no nazo"
He may have moved to NYC.
Began playing ball at age 15.
Supposedly captain of Knox baseball team.
All-Nations disbanded in 1918.
Spent two years at Knox and then went to Illinois University to study economics.
joined Mitsui & Co., Ltd,. in 1917.
Was not involved with baseball after leaving All-Nations in 1916.
Died in 1958 of a gastric perforation.
Mikami returned to japan and became a businessman.
IUniversity of Chicago first went to Japan to play in 1910 - Waseda went to US in 1911. Mikami on that team
From New York Times:
Game on 7/1/1911
Mikami batted second and played centerfield