All-Star History
First held in 1951, NPB's All-Star Game pits Central against Pacific League stars. The format evolved from one game to two (1953), three (2001), and back to two (2014). Held each July at rotating venues nationwide, it serves as the midsummer showcase closing the season's first half.
Fan Voting and Selection
Players are chosen through fan voting, player voting, and manager selection. Since the 2010s, internet-based fan voting has generated millions of ballots annually. Ohtani's 2017 achievement of topping fan voting as both pitcher and position player symbolized the two-way phenomenon's popularity.
Find All-Star Game books on Amazon
Legendary Moments
Yutaka Enatsu's 9 consecutive strikeouts in the 1971 Game 1 remains the All-Star's most famous record, still unbroken as of 2026. Ichiro's 1996 MVP performance showcased his hitting artistry to a national audience in the relaxed yet competitive atmosphere.
Challenges and Reform
Declining TV ratings and scheduling concerns have prompted reforms including home run derbies and fan events. Unlike MLB's former World Series home-field advantage tie-in, NPB hasn't added competitive stakes, relying instead on entertainment value and inter-league pride to sustain the tradition.
Ballpark Events and Entertainment
The All-Star experience extends beyond the game itself. The Home Run Derby, introduced in 1992, features power hitters competing for distance as a popular pre-game event. Host venues incorporate local cultural ceremonies, and ceremonial first pitches often feature celebrities from outside baseball. The rare sight of Central and Pacific League players chatting together on the bench offers fans a glimpse of cross-team camaraderie unseen in regular season play.
The Central-Pacific Rivalry
The All-Star Game carries significance as an inter-league rivalry. Before interleague play began in 2005, the All-Star Game and Japan Series were the only opportunities to compare league strength. The Pacific League's adoption of the designated hitter in 1975 gave its lineups an offensive edge that often showed in All-Star results. Career head-to-head records between the leagues remain closely balanced, fueling perpetual debate among fans about which league holds superiority.
Records Reflecting All-Star History
All-Star records mirror each era of NPB history. Katsuya Nomura holds the most appearances at 22, a testament to his longevity as a catcher handling ace pitchers from both leagues. Sadaharu Oh leads career All-Star home runs with 7. Pitcher Masaichi Kaneda holds the record with 11 All-Star wins. In 1994, the Pacific League scored 13 runs in a single game, setting the single-game scoring record. These achievements represent the footprints left by each generation's greatest players on the All-Star stage.