From Hanshin to MLB

The following players went from the Hanshin Tigers to the majors for an attempt at stardom. The years in brackets indicate their tenure with Hanshin. This list does not include import players who started in America, made their way to Japan, and returned to MLB afterward. You can find many of them here.

Tsuyoshi Shinjo (1990-2000) – to New York Mets

Keiichi Yabu (1994-2004) – to Oakland Athletics

Kei Igawa (1998-2006) – to New York Yankees

Kyuji Fujikawa (2000-12) – to Chicago Cubs

Seung-hwan Oh (2014-15) – to St. Louis Cardinals

Robert Suarez (2020-21) – to San Diego Padres

Shintaro Fujinami (2013-22) – to Oakland Athletics

From MLB to Hanshin

The following players left NPB for the majors and signed with Hanshin upon their return to Japan. The years in brackets indicate their tenure with Hanshin.

Hideki Irabu (2003-04) – from Texas Rangers

Kenji Johjima (2010-12) – from Seattle Mariners

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (2013-18) – from Minnesota Twins

Kosuke Fukudome (2013-20) – from New York Yankees

Yoshinori Tateyama (2014) – from New York Yankees

Kyuji Fujikawa (2016-20) – from Texas Rangers