MLB vs. Japan: Battle of the All-Stars

The 2018 Japan All-Star Series wrapped up last week. Samurai Japan beat the MLB All-Stars, taking five out of six games in the 12th edition of this MLB/NPB clash. Marlins J.T. Realmuto and Don Mattingly couldn’t carry the rest of the team on their shoulders.

Major League Baseball still comfortably leads the all-time series, 9-3. Realmuto is just one of seven players to represent the Marlins in the Far East through the years:

• 1996 - Gary Sheffield, OF
• 2000 - Ryan Dempster, SP
• 2002 - Brad Penny, SP & Derrek Lee, 1B
• 2004 - Dontrelle Willis, SP & Miguel Cabrera, OF/3B

• 2018 - J.T. Realmuto, C

Don’t forget coaches Bill Robinson (2006) and Fredi González and Don Mattingly (2018).

We now relive the rich history of the Japan All-Star Series with year-by-year results and notable individual performances.

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1986

A best-of-seven series between Major League Baseball and NPB All-Star Team. The MLB team made a statement with their 6-1 advantage.

• MVP: Tony Peña (Pittsburgh Pirates)
• Manager: Davey Johnson (New York Mets)

Johnson led the star-studded bunch that included several future Hall of Famers.

Notable players: Jack Morris, John Franco, Ryne Sandberg, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, Dale Murphy, Jose Canseco

1988

Back-to-back! MLB wins the series again, 3-2-2. Shortstop sensation Barry Larkin claims the MVP honors.

• MVP: Barry Larkin (Cincinnati Reds)
• Manager: Sparky Anderson (Detroit Tigers)

Notable players: Orel Hershiser, Greg Maddux, Benito Santiago, Andres Galarraga, Fred McGriff, Harold Reynolds, Bobby Bonilla, Paul Molitor, Rafael Palmeiro, Kirby Puckett

1990

The MLB All-Stars finally fall to NPB, 4-3-1. Even though Japan won this tight series, an American gets the ultimate recognition.

• MVP: Ken Griffey Jr. (Seattle Mariners)
• Manager: Don Zimmer (Chicago Cubs)

Notable players: Randy Johnson, Ramon Martinez, Sandy Alomar Jr, Mike Scioscia, Julio Franco, Ozzie Guillen, Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Sr., Ken Griffey Jr. (“The Kid”)

1992

MLB won, 4-2-2.

• MVP: Mark Grace (Chicago Cubs)
• Manager: Tom Kelly (Minnesota Twins)

Notable players: Roger Clemens, Darren Daulton, Wade Boggs, Craig Biggio, Ozzie “The Wizard” Smith, Larry Walker, Ruben Sierra.

1994 - Cancelled due to players union strike

1996

MLB won, 4 -2 -2.

• MVP: Steve Finley
• Manager: Dusty Baker (San Fransisco Giants)

Notable players: Pedro Martinez, Troy Percival, Hideo Nomo, Mike Piazza, Ivan Rodríguez, Alex Rodriguez, Chuck Knoblauch, Brady Anderson, Gary Sheffield, Juan Gonzalez, Marquis Grissom

1998

MLB won, 6 -2.

• MVP: Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs)
• Manager: Mike Hargrove (Cleveland Indians)

Notable players: Al Leiter, Kevin Millwood, Curt Schilling, Tom “Flash” Gordon, Trevor Hoffman, Ugueth Urbina, Billy Wagner, Jason Kendall, Javy Lopez, Jason Giambi, Carlos Delgado, Nomar Garciaparra, Vinny Castilla, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, Devon White, Garret Anderson, Andruw Jones

2000

MLB won, 5-2-1.

• MVP: Barry Bonds (San Fransisco Giants)
• Manager: Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves)

Notable players: Ryan Dempster, Livan Hernandez, Derek Lowe, Bengie Molina, Troy Glaus, Jeff Kent, Omar Vizquel, Luis Gonzalez, Shawn Green

2002

MLB won series, 5-3.

• MVP: Torii Hunter (Minnesota Twins)
• Manager: Art Howe (New York Mets)

Notable players: Mark Buehrle, Bartolo Colon, Eric Gagne, Brad Penny, Paul LoDuca, Eric Chavez, Derrek Lee , Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, Bernie Williams, Ichiro Suzuki

2004

MLB won series, 5-3.

• MVP: Vernon Wells (Toronto Blue Jays)
• Manager: Bruce Bochy (San Diego Padres)

Notable players: Kiko Calero, Roger Clemens, Dontrelle Willis, Marcus Giles, Victor Martínez, David Ortiz, Miguel Cabrera

2006

MLB swept the series, 5-0.

• MVP: Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)
• Manager: Bruce Bochy (San Diego Padres)

Notable players: Bronson Arroyo, John Maine, David Wright, Rafael Furcal, Chase Utley, Joe Mauer

The series was discontinued after that. A new deal was struck in 2014, this time with Samurai Japan as the opponent. Instead of matching up every other year, it’s every four years moving forward.

2014

Samurai Japan won series, 3-2.

• MVP: Yuki Yanagita
• Manager: John Farrell (Boston Red Sox)

Notable players: Jerry Blevins, Chris Capuano, Mark Melancon, Salvador Perez, Robinson Canó, José Altuve, Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist, Yasiel Puig, Dexter Fowler

2018

Samurai Japan won, 5-1.

• MVP: TBA
• Manager: Don Mattingly (Miami Marlins)

Notable players: Collin McHugh, Scott Barlow, Yadier Molina, J.T. Realmuto, Chris Taylor, Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, Rhys Hoskins

Sure, it’s easy to say it’s been a one-sided affair with MLB leading 9-3, but nonetheless, some stars have been involved in past series and have made it for memorable experiences for fans. This series is helping increase the popularity of baseball and exposing its stars around the world.