Hiroki Kokubo Pin Set

Those who are tackling a want list when it comes to baseball souvenirs might want to look elsewhere, but for window shoppers and impulse buyers, Akihabara's Electric Town district can produce some decent finds.

In addition to very occasional baseball cards, I sometimes find other souvenirs, like this box I picked up from Hobby Off, located between Yodobashi Camera and the JR train station.

If you read the title of this post, you already know what's inside. Hiroki Kokubo was one of those local favorites that are quite big here in Japan. That isn't to say he wasn't good. The box cover there gives his career stats: 2000+ hits and 400+ home runs, both of which are considered top milestones for sluggers in the NPB. (Remember, NPB has a shorter season than MLB, so it's a lot harder to reach the 3000 hit/500 home run marks.)

Kokubo got his start with the Hawks back when they were owned by Daiei. He was basically given to the Yomiuri Giants after the 2003 season, where he played for three years before re-signing with the Hawks in 2007. Since 2013 he has been the manager of the Japan National Team.

The pin set reflects the three jerseys he wore - first with the Daiei Hawks, then Yomiuri Giants, and finally the Softbank Hawks. One other pin has the Hiroki Kokubo logo. Yes, he has a logo.

The back of the pin box just has basic retail information, including the original price - 3500 yen (about $35). I paid about ten percent of that, which especially in Japan is a bargain!