The Legend of Eiji Sawamura
In 1934, 17-year-old Sawamura threw a one-run complete game against an MLB All-Star team featuring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. After turning professional in 1936, he posted 24-4 with a 0.81 ERA in spring 1937, establishing himself as Japan's greatest pre-war pitcher.
Talent Lost to War
Military conscription in 1938 and grenade-throwing on the Chinese front destroyed Sawamura's shoulder. He adapted his delivery but was conscripted again in 1943. On December 2, 1944, his transport ship was torpedoed near the Philippines. He died at 27 with career totals of 63-22, 1.74 ERA, and three no-hitters.
The Sawamura Award
Created in 1947, the award honors NPB's best starting pitcher against seven benchmarks including 15 wins, 200 innings, and 2.50 ERA. Not all criteria must be met, and declining complete game numbers have prompted discussion about modernizing the standards.
Notable Recipients
Winners span from Showa legends Kaneda, Inao, and Enatsu through Heisei stars Nomo, Matsuzaka, and Tanaka. Yoshinobu Yamamoto matched Kaneda's record three consecutive wins (2021-2023). The award transcends individual recognition, serving as Japanese pitching's ultimate benchmark bearing Sawamura's name.