John Sipin - Professional Career: Japanese Major League Baseball

Professional Career: Japanese Major League Baseball

Sipin signed with the Taiyo Whales (current Yokohama BayStars) in 1972, and instantly became one of the best second basemen in Japanese baseball during the 1970s. He played his best season in 1975, hitting 34 home runs and 82 RBIs, with a .295 batting average. He also won the Japanese golden glove award at second base in 1972 and 1973.

He was given to the Yomiuri Giants in 1978, and hit over .300 each of his full seasons with the Giants, often playing in the outfield instead of second base. He retired in 1980, after missing half of the season with an injury.

Sipin gained incredible popularity in Japan, and his huge mat of hair and beard gave him the nickname, Lion Maru (after the character in the children's television series Kaiketsu Lion-Maru). He was highly entertaining on and off the field, making entrances with extravagant outfits, or fielding ground balls with his batting helmet on. He drastically changed his appearance when he joined the Yomiuri Giants, shaving off his long hair and beard to adopt a gentleman-like look (similarly, Michihiro Ogasawara shaved off his trademark beard when he joined the Giants, though this was probably more in imitation of Johnny Damon and the New York Yankees).

Though Sipin changed his look when he joined the Giants, his wild personality did not change at all, especially because Clete Boyer, his coach and mentor on the Taiyo Whales, was no longer there to hold him back. In 1978, he charged at the mound after being hit by a pitch two times during the season, and was ejected both times after beating up the opposing pitcher. He had been ejected once with the Whales, but only for kicking sand onto the home plate after a disputed call.