Charlie Manuel

Though he probably earned greater fame for his part in leading the Kintetsu Buffaloes to two Pacific League pennants (1979-80), Manuel played his first three years in Japan with the Yakult Swallows. Though joining the team in 1976, the West Virginian went wild at the plate a year later, clubbing 42 home runs with 97 RBIs and a .316 batting average, helping lowly Yakult reach second-place for the first time in franchise history.

In 1978, the hard-drinking outfielder led the team with 39 home runs and 94 RBIs. Along with his .312 batting average in 1978, Manuel's 39 homers and 94 RBIs powered the Swallows to their first pennant and Japan Series Championship. But a personality conflict with then-Yakult manager Tatsuro Hirooka led the slugger to the Buffaloes in 1979.

After two highly successful seasons, in which he won two home run titles and one RBI crown, Manuel returned to the Swallows for one final season (Hirooka had departed). Showing his age while hitting just .260 with twelve home runs, the American slugger retired. In his six seasons in Japan, Manuel compiled a career .303 batting average with 189 home runs and 491 RBIs.