was a Japanese-American multi-sport athlete. He played 12 seasons of professional baseball in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yomiuri Giants (1951–1960) and the Chunichi Dragons (1961–1962). He also played a single season of professional football with the San Francisco 49ers of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).

Early life

Kaname Yonamine, a Nisei Japanese American, was born in Olowalu, Maui, Hawaii to parents Matsusai (September 1, 1890 – July 31, 1988) and Kikue (February 14, 1901 – February 26, 1999). Matsusai was an uchinānchu immigrant and Kikue came from Hiroshima. The name of his high school was the origin of his nickname, originally Wallace, but quickly changed to Wally, which would later become his legal name. (Walter Achiu was the first Asian-American). In his one season with the team, he had 19 carries for 74 yards and caught 3 passes for 40 yards. His football career ended during the off-season, when he broke his wrist playing in an amateur baseball league in Hawaii. In 2008, Yonamine joined the Japanese Master League team Nagoya 80 D'sers as a coach/part-time player.

After an extended battle with prostate cancer, Yonamine died on February 28, 2011, aged 85, in Honolulu.

Yonamine's grand-nephew, Micah, was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 29th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He is currently a developmental player for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

See also

  • American expatriate baseball players in Japan

References

Further reading

  • <!--Japanese--> Japan Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Dodgers to celebrate Japanese American Community Night