Though the Fighters have had a number of good players over the years, only a few could be considered all-time greats. With either little leadership or a poor supporting cast of players, the Fighters have rarely been able to contend for the Pacific League pennant.

Hiroshi Oshita: Though he played most of his fourteen-year career (1946-59) with the Nishitetsu Lions, lefty outfielder Hiroshi Oshita hit best during his first six pro seasons with the Senators and Flyers. After college and serving two years in the Japanese army, Oshita began his career with the Senators in 1946. Earning three home run crowns (1946-47, '51), the Kobe resident picked up his third batting title in 1951 with a .383 average, a Pacific League record that stood until 1970.

Well-known for his partying off the field, Oshita earned the 1954 PL MVP while leading the Lions to their first pennant. Retiring with a lifetime .303 average (twelfth on the all-time list) and 201 home runs, Oshita was inducted into Japan's Baseball Hall of Fame one year after he died in 1979.

Masayuki Dobashi: The most successful pitcher in the Fighters' franchise history, Masayuki Dobashi earned a career 162-135 record with 1,562 strikeouts and a lifetime 2.66 ERA in his twelve-season career with the Flyers (1956-67). Though never leading the league in any category, the right-handed hurler posted a twenty-seven win season in 1959, and thirty wins in '60. In 1961, Dobashi compiled a 1.90 ERA while earning a 30-16 record in 63 games while striking out 298 batters.

Isao Harimoto: One of the greatest Japanese batters of all time, Isao Harimoto holds the record for most career hits (3,085). Earning a .383 average in 1970, the left-handed outfielder held the single season batting record until Hanshin's Randy Bass hit .389 in 1986, and the Pacific League mark until Ichiro Suzuki's .385 season in 1985. Harimoto earned seven batting crowns, including four in a row from 1967 to '70.

Playing with the Flyers and Fighters from 1959-75, the proud Korean-Japanese slugger, played four seasons with the Giants ('76-79) and two with the Orions ('80-81). Third on the all-time batting list with a .319 career average, Harimoto clubbed 504 lifetime home runs (tied for fifth), 420 doubles (fourth), and 72 triples (ninth) with 1676 RBIs (fourth). In 1990, the 1960 PL MVP joined the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Katsuo Osugi: Starting his nineteen season career with the Flyers in 1965, Katsuo Osugi earned two home run and two RBI crowns with the Pacific League team before moving to the Swallows in 1975. Leading the Flyers in home runs seven straight years (1968-74) and RBIs five straight (1968-72), the right-handed first baseman and Isao Harimoto were a powerful combination before both left the team in 1975.

Playing his last nine years with the Swallows, Osugi earned the 1978 Japan Series MVP by leading Yakult to their first franchise championship. Retiring in 1983, Osugi compiled a career .287 average with 486 home runs and 1,507 RBIs. Osugi joined the Hall of Fame in 1996.

Tony Solaita: A Major Leaguer who played mostly with the Royals and Angels, first baseman Tony Solaita clubbed 155 home runs in his four years with the Fighters (1980-83). Batting .299, the American Samoa native led the Fighters to their second pennant while earning the PL home run and RBI crowns. Batting .268 during his Japanese baseball career, Solaita gathered 371 RBIs. In 1990, the slugger died in Samoa at the age of 43.

Matt Winters: Playing five seasons with the Fighters (1990-94), outfielder Matt Winters may not have won any league titles, but he provided strong and consistent offense. Leading the Ham's offense, Winters hit between 33 and 35 home runs in each of his first four years while also topping the team in RBIs. After five years, the New York native compiled a .267 batting average with 160 home runs and 428 RBIs.