the japanese jackie robinson

A list that seems even more appropriate now, given that the Patriots lost, Esquire presents 10 Who Tasted Greatness (and Choked on It).

At number 6, the list includes Masanori "Mash" Murakami, the first Japanese-born player ever to play in the Major League. Enjoying a solid two-year stint with the San Francisco Giants in 164-65 before returning home, he paved the way for future Asian players to come... sort of. Unfortunately, it would be another thirty years until another Japanese player came along, when Hideo Nomo joined the Major League in 1995, later followed by guys like Ichiro, Matsui and Matsuzaka. It ain't easy being a trailblazer. (Thanks, Curtis.)