Some critics have called him the best player in Japan. Atsuya Furuta can hit for average and power, deliver in the clutch, and no other catcher in Japan can match his defense and command of pitchers. One columnist suggested that the word "indispensable" was invented to describe Furuta. When he's healthy, the Swallows dominate the Central League; when injured, Yakult falls out of the pennant race

In the last six years, Yakult has seized a pennant in each of the four seasons Furuta has been healthy. In both 1994 and 1996, when Furuta was injured for large chunks of the season, the Swallows dropped to fourth place while the team's ERA soared.

In 1997, Furuta again displayed his indispensability by winning several games with his clutch hitting while batting .322 (second in the league) with 32 doubles, 86 RBIs and a .413 on base percentage. Behind the plate, the all-star backstop guided a group of cast-off and injury-plagued hurlers to a Japan best 3.26 ERA. Earning the Central League MVP was just the start.

In the Japan Series, Furuta batted .315 in five games while enabling Yakult's pitchers to compile a series 1.58 ERA. Nearly winning game three single-handedly, Furuta posted three RBIs on a solo home run and a two-run double. The week after being named Japan Series MVP, Furuta took home the Shoriki Award for outstanding contribution to Japanese baseball.

Though winning the 1991 CL batting crown with a .340 average and earning his first MVP in 1992 while clubbing 30 home runs and compiling a .315 average, injuries have taken their toll on Furuta's career numbers. Since his 1990 debut, the right-handed backstop has compiled a .296 career average with 105 home runs, 174 doubles and 490 RBIs.

At 32, Furuta may be slowing down a bit in the next few years. After the Swallows clinched the 1997 CL pennant, Furuta spent some time at first base, either to give his knees a rest or to give Manager Katsuya Nomura a chance to check out the team's back up catchers. Since he's been injured and struggling two of the last four years, there's no telling if he'll be able to stay in one piece during the 1998 season.

A charismatic and telegenic spokesman for the team, Furuta likely has his choice of post-baseball careers. Already appearing in commercials with his TV personality wife, the two-time MVP is a favorite on the interview circuit and could easily parlay that into a career as sports announcer or commentator. A smart player and team leader, Furuta may instead follow in the footsteps of another all-star catcher, Yakult Swallows manager Katsuya Nomura.