A weak team until the mid-1970s, the Carp didn't harvest too many all-stars in their first 25 years. But after Koji Yamamoto and Sachio Kinugasa began clouting home runs, Hiroshima never turned back. Here are some of the players who helped make the Carp a perennial contender

Ryohei Hasegawa: Hiroshima's best pitcher throughout the 1950s, right-handed hurler Ryohei Hasegawa led the Carp in wins from 1950-58 and tied the league lead with 30 wins in 1955. Though Hasegawa compiled a fourteen season (1950-63) 2.65 career ERA, he didn't get much run support and retired with a 197-208 record and 1564 strikeouts.

Sachio Kinugasa: One of Japan's all-time greats, Hiroshima first and third baseman (1965-87) Sachio Kinugasa stepped into the Carp line-up on October 19, 1970 and never missed a game until he retired on October 22, 1987. Playing in 2215 consecutive games, Kinugasa's mark stood as a world record almost a decade until Cal Ripkin surpassed it in 1996.

More than simply reliable and durable, the Hiroshima infielder belted 504 career home runs (fifth on the all-time list) with 373 doubles, 266 stolen bases and 1448 RBIs while compiling a lifetime .270 lifetime batting average. Helping the Carp earn the the 1984 Central League pennant by leading the league in RBIs (102), Kinugasa earned the MVP.

The son of an American GI, Kinugasa's dark skin and curly hair prompted his childhood classmates to taunt him. Studying English while in school, Japan's all-time consecutive games leader hoped his shining career might gain the attention of his father living overseas and lead to a family reunion. To date, neither men have met.

Yoshiro Sotokoba: One of the most overpowering pitchers of the late 1960s and early 70s, Yoshiro Sotokoba pitched his entire career with the Carp (1965-79). Despite leading the Central League with a 1.94 ERA in 1968, the right-hander had his best season in 1975. Earning the Sawamura Award that year, Sotokoba led the league in wins (a 20-13 record) and strikeouts (193) while helping the Carp take their first pennant in franchise history.

In his fifteen year career, the Carp pitcher earned 1,678 strikeouts with a 2.88 ERA and a disappointing 131-138 record. Because Hiroshima had been a weak cellar-dwelling team until 1975, Sotokoba's win-loss record reflects his lack of run support. On at least three occasions, however, Carp batters didn't let him down.

Pitching his first of three no-hitters on October 2, 1965, the Hiroshima rookie defeated the Hanshin Tigers 2-0 while striking out three and only surrendering one walk. In a virtual repeat of his earlier performance, Sotokoba no-hit the Yomiuri Giants 3-0 on April 29, 1972, while striking out two and only allowing two base runners--on a walk and an error.

In probably the most impressive pitching performance to ever occur in Japan, Sotokoba pitched a perfect game on September 14, 1968 at Hiroshima Stadium. Allowing no base runners, the Carp pitcher struck out sixteen to no-hit the Taiyo Whales by a final score of 2-0.

Koji Yamamoto: Fourth on Japan's all-time home run list, outfielder Koji Yamamoto caused pitchers on 536 separate occasions to wet their pants.

Playing his entire eighteen season career (1969-86) with the Carp, Yamamoto earned his first MVP in 1972 by helping Hiroshima capture their first pennant while leading the league with a .319 batting average. It wasn't until five years later that he demonstrated the extent of his power, smacking 44 home runs in 1977. Earning his first of four home run crowns the following year, Yamamoto also led the league three straight years in runs batted in (1979-81).

Named MVP again in 1980, the right-handed all-star batted .336 while leading the circuit in home runs (44) and RBIs (112). Retiring in 1986 with 2339 career hits and a .290 lifetime average, Yamamoto also drove in 1475 runs while clubbing 372 doubles and stealing 231 bases.

Manabu Kitabeppu: One of the best pitchers of his era (1976-94), right-handed mound master Manabu Kitabeppu benefited greatly from his team's explosive offense. Playing all nineteen seasons for the Carp, Kitabeppu compiled a lifetime 213-141 record with 1757 strikeouts and 755 walks while posting a 3.67 career ERA. Had his career started a decade earlier, when Carp batters offered little run support, his career record might have looked more like teammate Yoshiro Sotokoba's (131-138).

Earning the 1982 Sawamura Award while leading the league with 20 wins, Kitabeppu earned the same honor four years later. Named the 1986 MVP, the eighteen game winner also led the CL with a 2.43 ERA.

Jitsuo Mizutani: One of Hiroshima's best batters though the 1970s, outfielder and first baseman Jitsuo Mizutani played seventeen years (1966-82) before serving his last three seasons with the Hankyu Braves. Earning the 1978 Central League batting crown with a .348 average, Mizutani clubbed 205 home runs with 675 RBIs before switching teams. Leading the the Pacific League with 114 RBIs his first year with the Braves, the aging right-hander finished his career with 244 home runs, 809 RBIs and a .285 lifetime batting average.