This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Sadaharu Oh predated the new wave of Japanese players now playing in the majors, yet the "Babe Ruth of Japan" won international fame for setting a "world" record of 868 lifetime home runs playing for the Japanese League Yomiuri Giants from 1958 to 1980. In 1984, when he was managing his old team, Oh took time to answer a California fan in this letter on Yomiuri Giants stationery and dated January 23. Oh praises his former managers, humbly referring to each as
"Mr," and insists that 868 is "just a number." He signed the letter in black ink with a signature rating a 9. There are also some handwritten Japanese letters underneath in black marker. The letter is in excellent condition with two folds.