Between Game 7 of the 2011 Japan Series and Opening Day of the 2012 season, five players left Japan to play in MLB.

These weren't just any players, they were among the best in NPB. Collectively they had helped secure seven pennants, been a part of three Japan Series winners, won four MVP Awards, two Sawamura Awards, 10 Golden Gloves and were named All-Stars a combined 27 times.

That they left is nothing remarkable on its own. Ever since Hideo Nomo signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995, the departure of a few stars has been part and parcel with Japanese baseball. The oddity this time was number of high-caliber players all leaving at once.