Proof positive Japanese baseball is not "doomed," as some critics have suggested with regard to star players leaving for the major leagues, is the emergence of young phenoms coming seemingly out of nowhere to take the places of Ichiro (Suzuki), Hideki and Kazuo Matsui, Hideo Nomo, Kazuhisa Ishii, Shingo Takatsu, Akinori Otsuka and the others gone to the American or National Leagues.
How about the "Red Godzilla" of the Hiroshima Carp, outfielder Shigenobu Shima?
He's got that nickname because he wears No. 55, hits left-handed and plays right field, the position where the original "Godzilla," Hideki Matsui, broke in with the Yomiuri Giants 10 years ago.