Though little was expected of him, Kobayakawa got Yakult off to a winning start by hitting three home runs off of Yomiuri ace Masaki Saito in the season opener.

In Japanese baseball, a lot of weight is given to who can get an early lead. In a game it is supposed that the first team to score takes the advantage and usually wins the game.

Not only did Kobayakawa help the Swallows win the first game, but many Yakult fans believe his opening day performance gave the team enough confidence to continue winning for the rest of the season. Long after his bat cooled off, Kobayakawa still received some of the loudest and most passionate cheers from the Yakult cheering section.

While the Swallows did continue winning, Kobayakawa's hitting went downhill after that first game. By the middle of the season, he was sharing first base duties with import Jim Tatum. Finishing the year with a .249 average, the opening day hero compiled 12 home runs with 33 RBIs. During the Japan Series, the Kobayakawa went 0 for 7 with three strikeouts and no walks.

With Yakult's acquisition of Chicago White Sox infielder Lyle Mouton during the off-season, it looks like the Swallows have plans to replace Kobayakawa at first base. It's doubtful that he'll have the opportunity to repeat his opening day performance in 1998 since it appears he will lose his starting job.

In his fourteen season career, Kobayakawa has compiled a .277 lifetime batting average with 167 home runs. At age 36, he doesn't appear to have much of a chance of reaching 200 home runs, particularly if his new role means pinch-hitting.