Slugging It Out in Japan: An American Major Leaguer in the Tokyo Outfield [Paperback]

Warren Cromartie (Author), Robert Whitting (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 1992

An American major league baseball player describes his experiences playing the great American pastime in Japan, discussing the bad calls, bad vibes, and bad-mouthing he encountered. Reprint. AB. K.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As one of the gaijin (foreign) baseball players of Whiting's earlier book, You Gotta Have Wa ( LJ 5/1/89), Cromartie tells of his seven tempestuous years with the Tokyo Giants. "Cro," as they called him, fought the Wa --the demanding team discipline Japanese baseball teams expect from their players--and in return was resented as a highly paid foreigner and an independent black. Finally coming to terms with the Japanese methods, he won acceptance and learned to appreciate the nation's way of life. Recommended where You Gotta Have Wa attracted adult and YA readers.
- Morey Berger, formerly with Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Signet (March 3, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451170768
• ISBN-13: 978-0451170767
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,532,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars insightful, candid, and fair to Japan and the US both, February 1, 2000

By 

J. K. Kelley "literary mercenary" (Eastern WA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Slugging It Out in Japan: An American Major Leaguer in the Tokyo Outfield (Paperback)

Cromartie played long enough in Japan to actually develop moments of affection for the experience, a statement not normally made of foreign players. His description of the normalcy of race prejudice there will stun people from countries where such prejudice is not considered acceptable. He tells a lot about Japanese life as well as Japanese baseball from the perspective of a man who earned the respect of his Japanese teammates as a leader. I find his commentary very revealing and strongly recommend this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Yakyuu" is different from "Baseball"., July 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Slugging It Out in Japan: An American Ball Player in the Japanese Major Leagues (Hardcover)

I truly enjoyed this book because I am one of the witness of the seasons the author had gone through. Yes, he is the best "gaijin" player in Japanese baseball (Yakyuu) history. Baseball in Japan is not the battle of power, but bottle of spirits. The process is considered more important than the results. The players have to practice many hours before the game, and sometimes pitchers have to start even they have broken arms! This book describes the difference of "Yakyuu" and "Baseball." This also gives us the information about Japanse and Japanese culture. More importantly, this book describes the cultural difference between Japan and the US.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great view from a gaijin, August 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Slugging It Out in Japan: An American Major Leaguer in the Tokyo Outfield (Paperback)

Warren Cromartie was accepted by Japan as a gaijin because he accepted Japan himself. Thru his book you will feel his ups and downs while playing for Japan's highest profile baseball team: The Kyojin's aka The Yomiuri Giants. I strongly believe that Cro stuck out 6 years in Tokyo, not because of the big bucks but his bonding and friendship with the legendary Sadaharu Oh. Thank you Cro, for sharing your experience and journey. Don't delay if you are a baseball fan, get the book today!