In order for a sport to spread to another country, someone has to bring it over, and for baseball in Japan, it was Horace Wilson. A Civil War veteran and schoolteacher from Maine, it was after the war in the early 1870s, Wilson joined a wave of Western educators hired by the Japanese government to help modernize the country. He took a teaching position at Kaisei Gakko, a predecessor of what would become Tokyo University. Looking for a way to engage his students during breaks, Wilson introduced them to a new game from home: baseball.
The sport quickly caught on. Students embraced the game, and it began to spread to other schools and cities. Within a few decades, baseball had become a fixture of Japanese youth culture, and today it enjoys passionate nationwide support, from high school tournaments to professional leagues.
Strangely, Wilson never documented this momentous contribution in his letters back home. His family remained unaware of his impact until 2000, when Japanese baseball historians traced their way to the Wilson family farm in Maine to honor the man they credited with introducing the game.
In 2003, Horace Wilson was posthumously inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame—an honor few Americans have received. His descendants were invited to Japan to witness the ceremony and attend the prestigious national high school baseball championship, where Wilson was celebrated on the field.
It’s one of those simple things that led to the present day where Japan has become the official farm system of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
What’s Happening
Indiana Pacers head to the NBA Finals for 2nd time after beating the Knicks in 6 games. Pascal Siakam named series MVP.
Battle of two teams looking to win 1st NBA Finals - Indiana Pacers Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.
Max Muncy hits career home runs 200 & 201 as Dodgers rout Yankees 18-2.
Nationals tie NL record with 9 runs before recording an out. Last done by 1948 Phillies.
This Day In Sports History
1925: Lou Gehrig’s record consecutive game streak that will last 2,130 games begins. Of course later broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995.
1939: First MLB night game takes place at Shibe Park between the Pirates and Phillies
1979: Seattle Supersonics win NBA championship over Washington Bullets. Only title Seattle will win in the NBA
1987: Phil and Joe Niekro combine to become the winningest brothers in MLB history with 530 after Phil got win number 314
2012: Johan Santana throws first no hitter in Mets history against the Cardinals.
Random Stat Of The Day
On December 29, 2022, Buddy Hield made the fastest 3 pointer in NBA history. The opening tipoff was batted to Hield, who caught it behind the line, turned and made the shot. The shot was made with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter, with Myles Turner being credited with an assist.
Since the play-by-play era, which began in 1997, there had not been a three-pointer in three seconds of a game. The record belonged to another Pacer in Reggie Miller who made one 4 seconds into a game against the Warriors.