On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re joined by baseball historian and expert on all things Japanese baseball Robert Fits.
About Robert Fitts
Robert Fitts is a baseball historian and expert ont he history of Japanese baseball. He has written numerous books on Japanese baseball including Banzai Babe Ruth: Baseball, Espionage, and Assissination During the 1934 Tour of Japan.
Topics Discussed
- How Robert Fitts got interested in baseball
- How Robert Fitts became interested in Japanese baseball
- Robert Fitts’ first trip to Japan and first experience at a Japanese baseball game
- About Remembering Japanese Baseball, Robert Fitts’ first book on Japanese baseball
- About selling Japanese baseball cards on ebay in 1999
- About Wally Yonamine
- About the book Banzai Babe Ruth
- About Babe Ruth’s 1934 18 game Japan tour and the history behind it
- About Moe Berg and the possibility that he was conducting espoionage during Babe Ruth’s Japan tour
- About Babe Ruth’s popularity in Japan
- About Babe Ruth’s affinity for Japan
- About the history of Japanese baseball cards
- About the book An Illustrated Introduction to Japanese Baseball Cards
- About the baseball card market in Japan
- About the Japanese pitcher Eiji Sawamura
- About the upcoming book The Pioneers of Japanese American Baseball
- And much more!
Listen to Japan Station on
Apple Podcasts Google Play Stitcher Spotify Tunein iHeartRadio PodBean Overcast
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we’re able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you’ll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you’ll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.
Links, Videos, Etc.
For more information about Robert Fitts or to purchase his books, use the links below. The links for the books are Amazon Affiliate links (will not cost you extra and will support the show).
- Robert Fitts Website
- Banzai Babe Ruth: Baseball, Espionage, and Assissination During the 1934 Tour of Japan
- An Illustrated Introduction to Japanese Baseball Cards
Don’t forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi’s music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.
Follow Japankyo on Social Media
Full Show Notes
Get the full version of show notes at https://japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/
