Roberto “Chico” Barbón, Pioneering Latino baseball player in Japan League, Passes Away

On July 2, 2021, Roberto “Chico” Barbón, one of the first Latino baseball players to play in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, passed away at the age of 64 after a long battle with cancer.

A Trailblazer in Japan’s NPB

Barbón, a native of Puerto Rico, spent ten seasons in Japan’s NPB league from 1983 to 1992, becoming one of the first Latin American players to make a significant impact on Japanese baseball. He played as a catcher and had a career batting average of .268, hitting 118 home runs and driving in 480 runs in 1,057 games.

Remembered as a Great Leader and Role Model

Barbón was beloved by his teammates and fans in both Japan and Puerto Rico, where he played for the Santurce Crabbers in the winter league. He was remembered as a great leader and role model, always willing to share his experience and knowledge of the game with younger players. Former NPB player and manager Tatsunori Hara described him as “one of the most respected people in Japanese baseball,” while former teammate Warren Cromartie said he was “a true ambassador of the sport.”

A Legacy That Lives On

Although Barbón’s career in Japan was relatively short compared to other foreign players, he made a significant impact and helped pave the way for future Latino players in the league. His legacy lives on through the countless players he inspired and mentored throughout his life, as well as his induction into the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

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Summary:
Roberto “Chico” Barbón was one of the first Latino baseball players to play in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. He played as a catcher and had a career batting average of .268, hitting 118 home runs and driving in 480 runs in 1,057 games. Barbón was remembered as a great leader and role model, and although his career in Japan was relatively short compared to other foreign players, he made a significant impact and helped pave the way for future Latino players in the league. He passed away at the age of 64 on July 2, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. #SPORT