A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back

by Aaron Fischman, Don Nomura Narrated by Brian Nishii

Overview

Like many American boys, Tony Barnette yearned to one day make it to “The Show,” playing baseball professionally. The Arizona State pitcher was drafted in 2006 by the in-state Diamondbacks. Gradually ascending the minor-league ladder, it looked like this was the beginning of a blessed life, where he could play the game he loved on the grandest of stages in front of family and friends.

But things don't always work out the way we want.

On the verge of achieving his lifelong dream after notching a league-high 14 wins in Triple A, Tony looked ahead to 2010 with optimism. That's when Japan came calling, offering a significant salary hike in exchange for forgoing a likely forthcoming big-league debut.

The Diamondbacks agreed to release Tony so he could play for Tokyo's Yakult Swallows, the renowned Yomiuri Giants' intra-city rivals.

At the time, the only thing he had in common with the country was a love for baseball. He did not know the language and was unfamiliar with Nippon Professional Baseball and essentially everything else. On his own in a strange land, the burning desire to one day make the major leagues never subsided. He knew the odds were against him, as less than one quarter of gaijin (Japanese for “foreigner”) ballplayers who go to Japan appear in the majors at any point thereafter.

First-year struggles led to multiple demotions and his end-of-year release. But when you're chasing a dream, you expect to encounter several obstacles. Tony refused to be deterred. Over six seasons in Japan, the starter became a reliever and then a closer. After a strong 2015 season, in which he guided his long-suffering Swallows to the Japan Series, he finally got the call he had been waiting for. Signing with the Texas Rangers in December, Tony would make his first major-league appearance on April 5, 2016, at age thirty-two. He'd go on to pitch four seasons with the Rangers and Chicago Cubs, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Through extensive research and reporting, Aaron Fischman worked directly with Tony to tell his story of perseverance, determination, and never giving up on your dream.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"In the enjoyable and well-written A Baseball Gaijin, Aaron Fischman has you rooting for underdog Tony Barnette as he overcomes numerous obstacles in pursuit of his major league dream through the unlikely path of Nippon Professional Baseball. Featured throughout the uplifting story is an accurate and nuanced discussion of both Japanese baseball and Japanese culture, largely from the Yakult Swallows great's perspective." —Melissa Isaacson, award-winning journalist, assistant professor at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, and author of State: A Team, a Triumph, a Transformation

"What a fun ride! Aaron Fischman’s delightful A Baseball Gaijin brings us along on American pitcher Tony Barnette’s journey to Japan, where he drives himself to reach his full potential as a professional baseball player. As Tony searches for the secret to getting an invite to the world’s top league back home, he confronts an unfamiliar culture and a different form of baseball that push him out of his comfort zone and into a new level of success—on and off the field. A very personal and inspiring story of how following the path less traveled can bring out the best in us." —Ethan Scheiner, author of Democracy Without Competition in Japan and Freedom to Win

"For a moment, forget about Shohei. Ichiro, too. Instead, learn about the far lesser-known professional Japanese ballplayer-turned-big-leaguer Tony Barnette, whose inspiring and (who knew?) enlightening story of traveling halfway around the planet in pursuit of his ultimate dream is painstakingly crafted here by Aaron Fischman." —David Ostrowsky, author of Roberto Alomar: The Complicated Life and Legacy of a Baseball Hall of Famer

"In the enjoyable and well-written A Baseball Gaijin, Aaron Fischman has you rooting for underdog Tony Barnette as he overcomes numerous obstacles in pursuit of his major league dream through the unlikely path of Nippon Professional Baseball. Featured throughout the uplifting story is an accurate and nuanced discussion of both Japanese baseball and Japanese culture, largely from the Yakult Swallows great's perspective." —Robert Fitts, baseball historian and author of Wally Yonamine, Banzai Babe Ruth, Mashi, and Issei Baseball

"Fischman’s meticulous research and captivating storytelling reveals the culture, charming traditions, economics, and prejudices of Tokyo’s Yakult Swallows and Nippon Professional Baseball through the lens of American pitcher Tony Barnette. Readers will be inspired and fascinated by Barnette’s experiences as he navigates the curveballs of a foreign land in pursuit of his dream of playing professional baseball. His courageous journey serves as a reminder that the feeling of being a gaijin, or foreigner, is essential for personal growth in all of us." —Paul Knepper, author of The Knicks of the Nineties

“An inspirational story of passion, perseverance and perspective. Fischman’s ability to bring Barnette—and the people in his life—to life will be praised by readers and writers and may even pique the interest of television series producers. I cried, laughed and learned—a lot. And you don’t have to love (or know much about) baseball to enjoy this thoughtfully told story, though enthusiasts of the sport will appreciate Aaron’s attention and dedication to details.” —Gabriel Allen, author of Around the League in 80 Days

"Books about baseball's superstars and legends are abundant. What makes Aaron Fischman’s A Baseball Gaijin distinct and delightful is the care he takes in profiling one of the game's anonymous grinders: Tony Barnette, a young pitcher trying to find his groove in a faraway continent. Under Fischman’s guidance, Tony’s story is familiar and revelatory; empowering and awkward. It’s also unabashedly human. Yes, we fully understand Japan’s interpretation of the national pastime, but we appreciate that professional athletes are as vulnerable and unsure as us. Filled with insight and empathy, A Baseball Gaijin is a fine addition to any baseball lover’s bookshelf.” —Pete Croatto, author of From Hang Time to Prime Time: Business, Entertainment, and the Birth of the Modern-day NBA

"A great read that provides insight into the Japanese professional baseball league and the difficulties adjusting to a new culture for an American ballplayer who doesn't know the language. It also provides a sense of what superstar Shohei Ohtani and other foreign-born baseball players are going through living and playing in the US." —Julio Moran, former Los Angeles Times reporter and adjunct professor, University of Southern California

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192148761
Publisher:	Oasis Audio
Publication date:	08/13/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged