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Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back
Like many American boys, Tony Barnette yearned to one day make it to "The Show," playing baseball professionally. The Arizona State pitcher was drafted in the 10th round in 2006 by the in-state Diamondbacks. It looked like this was the beginning of a blessed life, being able to play the game he loved the most on the grandest of stages in front of family and friends.
But things don't always work out the way we want them to.
On the verge of achieving his lifelong dream after starting 29 games in Triple-A in 2009, Tony looked ahead to 2010 with optimism. That’s when Japan came calling, offering a significant salary hike in exchange for forgoing, or at least delaying, a likely forthcoming big league debut.
Ahead of 2010, the Diamondbacks agreed to release Tony so he could play for Tokyo’s Yakult Swallows, the renowned Yomiuri Giants’ intra-city rivals.
At that time, the only thing he had in common with the country was a love for baseball. He did not know the language and was unfamiliar with the league (NPB), or, essentially, anything else. With his family in the States, he was on his own in a strange land with the hopes of one day making it back to America and pitching in the major leagues. He knew the odds were against him, as less than one quarter of gaijin (the Japanese word for "foreigner") ballplayers who go to Japan appear in the majors at any point thereafter.
Right off the bat, he struggled, even being demoted multiple times to the farm team. But when you're chasing a dream, you expect to encounter several roadblocks or obstacles. Tony refused to be deterred. Over six seasons in Japan, the starter became a reliever, who then became a closer. In 2015, after notching 41 saves and a 1.29 ERA while guiding the long-suffering Swallows to the Japan Series, the Japanese equivalent of the World Series, he finally got the call he had been waiting for. Signing with the Texas Rangers on December 15, 2015, Tony would make his first appearance in a major league game on April 5, 2016, at age thirty-two.
Barnette would go on to pitch four seasons with the Rangers and Chicago Cubs, fulfilling a lifelong dream that seemed at many times would not happen.
Through extensive research and reporting, author Aaron Fischman worked directly with Barnette to tell his story of perseverance, determination, and never giving up on your dream. With the support of his loving family and friends—as well as his interpreter and teammates and coaches across two continents— A Baseball Gaijin is a feel-good story that can be enjoyed by baseball and non-baseball fans alike.
But things don't always work out the way we want them to.
On the verge of achieving his lifelong dream after starting 29 games in Triple-A in 2009, Tony looked ahead to 2010 with optimism. That’s when Japan came calling, offering a significant salary hike in exchange for forgoing, or at least delaying, a likely forthcoming big league debut.
Ahead of 2010, the Diamondbacks agreed to release Tony so he could play for Tokyo’s Yakult Swallows, the renowned Yomiuri Giants’ intra-city rivals.
At that time, the only thing he had in common with the country was a love for baseball. He did not know the language and was unfamiliar with the league (NPB), or, essentially, anything else. With his family in the States, he was on his own in a strange land with the hopes of one day making it back to America and pitching in the major leagues. He knew the odds were against him, as less than one quarter of gaijin (the Japanese word for "foreigner") ballplayers who go to Japan appear in the majors at any point thereafter.
Right off the bat, he struggled, even being demoted multiple times to the farm team. But when you're chasing a dream, you expect to encounter several roadblocks or obstacles. Tony refused to be deterred. Over six seasons in Japan, the starter became a reliever, who then became a closer. In 2015, after notching 41 saves and a 1.29 ERA while guiding the long-suffering Swallows to the Japan Series, the Japanese equivalent of the World Series, he finally got the call he had been waiting for. Signing with the Texas Rangers on December 15, 2015, Tony would make his first appearance in a major league game on April 5, 2016, at age thirty-two.
Barnette would go on to pitch four seasons with the Rangers and Chicago Cubs, fulfilling a lifelong dream that seemed at many times would not happen.
Through extensive research and reporting, author Aaron Fischman worked directly with Barnette to tell his story of perseverance, determination, and never giving up on your dream. With the support of his loving family and friends—as well as his interpreter and teammates and coaches across two continents— A Baseball Gaijin is a feel-good story that can be enjoyed by baseball and non-baseball fans alike.
408 pages, Hardcover
Published June 18, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 27, 2024
Go Go Swallows!!!
July 11, 2024
Just fantastic. Authoritative, accessible, richly detailed. How can you not be romantic about baseball? Fischman gets it and, here, he’s told a deeply human story the way it deserved to be told.
June 30, 2025
This was a fun baseball book. Aaron took us along with Tony through his time, overseas and back to playing with the Texas Rangers.
I love how there is so much attention paid to Tony’s teammates, coaches, and support staff throughout the process
Thank you for bringing the story to life Aaron. It was a pleasure reading this book.
I love how there is so much attention paid to Tony’s teammates, coaches, and support staff throughout the process
Thank you for bringing the story to life Aaron. It was a pleasure reading this book.
July 1, 2025
Fascinating story of Tony Barnette's journey from fringe prospect to Japanese All-Star to major leaguer. A baseball story and human story rolled into one...my favorite type of book.
August 18, 2024
A must-read for any fan of baseball and resilience.
Read
August 8, 2024My interview with Fischman discussing the book here:
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...
October 14, 2024
I liked it a lot as a baseball fan. It was really entertaining the whole way through, and I liked the fact that, as far as professional baseball players go, Tony Barnette was unspectacular. Even in his story, he wasn’t the first to go to Japan, or the first to use it as the quadA or the first to struggle to the big leagues. But although his story is one of many, it is genuinely the first time that I heard of it. Fischman guides us on this story through a foreign atmosphere, one that also holds baseball reverently, and gives us an insight into how two worlds collide through sports. Would recommend to anyone that loves the game or loves a “day in the life” nonfiction.
September 20, 2024
Great book! A story of overcoming adversity and living in a foreign country. I found the chapters about the devastating earthquake to be incredibly interesting! Great read for anyone, not just baseball lovers
June 4, 2025
While many baseball fans may not recognize the name Tony Barnette as a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers, his story of how he became a member of the team’s bullpen from 2016 to 2018 is one that will inspire any reader or listener of this book. Author Aaron Fischman does a terrific job of telling Barnette’s story of his time in the Japanese team and his determination to make it to the major leagues.
Whether one reads the book or listens to Brian Nishii’s very good narration (I did the latter), Barnette’s adventures in Japan are quite interesting. When Barnette struggled as a starting pitcher - enough to be released by the Yakult Swallows, a team in Tokyo, he still didn’t let that deter him. In a move that isn’t common in Japanese baseball, the Swallows took him back and he responded by posting some incredible seasons out of the Swallows bullpen. It was enough to catch the attention of the Rangers, who signed him and immediately put him in the bullpen, becoming a 32 year old rookie pitcher.
The book, while an excellent recap of Barnette’s career in Japan and Texas, is a very good biography of Barnette and a good introduction to Japanese baseball for those who are not not familiar with their customs and traditions as there are differences between Japanese baseball and their American counterparts. The chapters on Barnette’s life off the field, especially when his daughters were born, are also good. I particularly enjoyed the stories on the adjustments to life in Japan that his wife Hillary made as the life of a baseball wife in Japan can be even more challenging than it is in the US.
Lastly, I enjoyed the information Fischman provided about other baseball gaijin from the US on how they adjusted to playing in Japan. The most interesting stories of these was whenever the home run record for one season by Sadaharu Oh was threatened by a foreign player, Japanese pitchers refused to throw strikes to those batters, ensuring that Oh’s record would be safe. This happened to Randy Bass, Tuffy Rhodes and Alex Cabrera. Oh’s record was finally broken by a Swallows teammate of Barnette’s, Wladimir Balentien, in 2013.
If a reader wants an inspiring story about a pitcher who never gave up on his dream and went to a foreign country to keep it alive, then they will want to pick this one up.
Whether one reads the book or listens to Brian Nishii’s very good narration (I did the latter), Barnette’s adventures in Japan are quite interesting. When Barnette struggled as a starting pitcher - enough to be released by the Yakult Swallows, a team in Tokyo, he still didn’t let that deter him. In a move that isn’t common in Japanese baseball, the Swallows took him back and he responded by posting some incredible seasons out of the Swallows bullpen. It was enough to catch the attention of the Rangers, who signed him and immediately put him in the bullpen, becoming a 32 year old rookie pitcher.
The book, while an excellent recap of Barnette’s career in Japan and Texas, is a very good biography of Barnette and a good introduction to Japanese baseball for those who are not not familiar with their customs and traditions as there are differences between Japanese baseball and their American counterparts. The chapters on Barnette’s life off the field, especially when his daughters were born, are also good. I particularly enjoyed the stories on the adjustments to life in Japan that his wife Hillary made as the life of a baseball wife in Japan can be even more challenging than it is in the US.
Lastly, I enjoyed the information Fischman provided about other baseball gaijin from the US on how they adjusted to playing in Japan. The most interesting stories of these was whenever the home run record for one season by Sadaharu Oh was threatened by a foreign player, Japanese pitchers refused to throw strikes to those batters, ensuring that Oh’s record would be safe. This happened to Randy Bass, Tuffy Rhodes and Alex Cabrera. Oh’s record was finally broken by a Swallows teammate of Barnette’s, Wladimir Balentien, in 2013.
If a reader wants an inspiring story about a pitcher who never gave up on his dream and went to a foreign country to keep it alive, then they will want to pick this one up.
March 5, 2025
A Baseball Gaijin chronicles the journey of Tony Barnette, an American baseball player, who took the unorthodox part of playing professional baseball in Japan and managed to ultimately make it to MLB.
Languishing in the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league system, Tony accepted an offer to play for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan. Over 6 years in Japan he evolved from a minor league starter to an MLB quality reliever.
Fischman is an ideal chronicler of Tony’s story. The combo of detailed research and close collaboration with Barnette bring authenticity to the narrative. I picked up the book primarily for the insight into baseball in Japan but enjoyed it mostly for the character study of a player willing to take chances to achieve his dream. The challenge of a bio like this is figuring when to zoom in and when to zoom out - Fischman is clearly fascinated by the detail but does a good job of striking a balance between the baseball and the wider story.
The strength of the book is its honesty, openness and balance of story within the broader context of baseball both in US and Japan. It's a story of perseverance, of taking risks, of culture shock, and of what it takes to make it in sport. A great addition to any baseball library.
Languishing in the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league system, Tony accepted an offer to play for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan. Over 6 years in Japan he evolved from a minor league starter to an MLB quality reliever.
Fischman is an ideal chronicler of Tony’s story. The combo of detailed research and close collaboration with Barnette bring authenticity to the narrative. I picked up the book primarily for the insight into baseball in Japan but enjoyed it mostly for the character study of a player willing to take chances to achieve his dream. The challenge of a bio like this is figuring when to zoom in and when to zoom out - Fischman is clearly fascinated by the detail but does a good job of striking a balance between the baseball and the wider story.
The strength of the book is its honesty, openness and balance of story within the broader context of baseball both in US and Japan. It's a story of perseverance, of taking risks, of culture shock, and of what it takes to make it in sport. A great addition to any baseball library.
September 22, 2025
As Tony Barnette approached his mid-20s in the minor leagues of professional baseball, he found himself staring at a fork in the road. Should he continue grinding it out in hopes of a long-awaited call-up to Major League Baseball? Or was it time to consider a new path, just as many of his peers were settling into their careers?
Offered a position with the Yakult Swallows of the NPB, Japan’s premier baseball league, Barnette soon found himself half a world away from his old life. The Swallows were a perennial also-ran, an underdog team that counts literary legend Haurki Murakami amongst their most die-hard fans
Barnette’s time in Japan was far from easy. He faced cultural isolation, struggled with language barriers, and navigated the challenges of a new marriage, all while fighting to prove himself on the mound. With a strong refusal to give up his dreams, Tony eventually sees his lifelong goal in front of him: a call from MLB’s Texas Rangers
Readers looking for a story of the love of the game, and those with an interest in the ever-growing influence of Japanese baseball will devour this one.
Offered a position with the Yakult Swallows of the NPB, Japan’s premier baseball league, Barnette soon found himself half a world away from his old life. The Swallows were a perennial also-ran, an underdog team that counts literary legend Haurki Murakami amongst their most die-hard fans
Barnette’s time in Japan was far from easy. He faced cultural isolation, struggled with language barriers, and navigated the challenges of a new marriage, all while fighting to prove himself on the mound. With a strong refusal to give up his dreams, Tony eventually sees his lifelong goal in front of him: a call from MLB’s Texas Rangers
Readers looking for a story of the love of the game, and those with an interest in the ever-growing influence of Japanese baseball will devour this one.
February 7, 2026
For American-born MLB fans, the story of a player from the United States going to Japan is usually treated as an afterthought. It’s where washed up major leaguers go to fade away, or tour in the offseason. “A Baseball Gaijin” shatters that conventional wisdom by weaving the tale of a seemingly failed MLB prospect who found his footing in Japan. The arc of Tony Barnette’s story is unlike any other, and Aaron Fischman proves to be the perfect scribe to capture its every triumph and distress. It’s part underdog and redemption story, part culture shock, part family tale - and Fischman weaves it all together gracefully.
Yet “Gaijin” does more than just tell Barnette’s story in an engrossing fashion. Just as crucially, it paints a respectful portrait of professional baseball in Japan, and also gives equal respect to the family and colleagues who assisted Barnette in his improbable ride. Especially with the growth of Japanese superstars in the Ohtani/Yamamoto era of MLB, which should (ideally) encourage fans to observe Japan’s baseball culture with greater curiosity, I hope more eyeballs land on this absolute gem.
Yet “Gaijin” does more than just tell Barnette’s story in an engrossing fashion. Just as crucially, it paints a respectful portrait of professional baseball in Japan, and also gives equal respect to the family and colleagues who assisted Barnette in his improbable ride. Especially with the growth of Japanese superstars in the Ohtani/Yamamoto era of MLB, which should (ideally) encourage fans to observe Japan’s baseball culture with greater curiosity, I hope more eyeballs land on this absolute gem.
July 2, 2025
An inspirational story of passion, perseverance and perspective. Fischman’s ability to bring Barnette - and the people in his life - to life will be praised by readers and writers and may even pique the interest of television series producers. I cried, laughed and learned - a lot. And you don’t have to love (or know much about) baseball to enjoy this thoughtfully-told story, though enthusiasts of the sport will appreciate Aaron’s attention and dedication to details.
September 16, 2025
I really admired how deeply Aaron explored Tony’s journey, along with the stories of the other people he profiles. The level of research and reporting brought a lot of depth and detail to this book. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, the central message of this book resonates. At the core, it’s a relatable story about stepping outside your comfort zone and seeing what life has to offer on the other side.
April 27, 2026
Very thorough look into the life of Tony. It's a comprehensive, well-written dive into how he rose to fame, highlighting the challenges along the way. Excellent read for someone with a love of baseball and a slightly higher than average level of understanding of baseball terminology. You will learn more about what it's like for baseball players who rise to the ranks through alternate means. It's a very unique perspective.
November 7, 2025
As someone who has always enjoyed both MLB and NPB and the various cultural differences between both, this was a fun read highlighting one player's journey. It wasn't life changing, but it was an enjoyable read for sure. I think anyone interested in learning more about this unique path would have a good time here.
February 14, 2025
Solid book overall. It was wonderful to gain an insight into the culture of Japanese baseball.
I would’ve given this five stars up until the epilogue. The epilogue said something related to Tony’s personal life without explanation and in doing so it kind of discredits so much of the book.
I would’ve given this five stars up until the epilogue. The epilogue said something related to Tony’s personal life without explanation and in doing so it kind of discredits so much of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2024
An inspirational baseball journey. Highly recommended.
May 7, 2026
shoutout to my man aaron fischman, og kdvs sports director 🤞🤞
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews