A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back

Like many young men, Tony Barnette had hopes of making it to "The Show," playing baseball professionally as a pitcher. A lifelong dream, he was drafted in the 10th round in 2006 by the Arizona Diamondbacks--his hometown team. It looked like this was the beginning of a blessed life, being able to play the game he loved the most. 

But things don't always work out the way we want them to. 

Making it as high as Triple-A in 2009, he was eventually released from the Diamondbacks in 2010. That's when Japan came calling.

At that time, the only thing he had in common with the country was a love for baseball. He did not know the language, was unfamiliar with the clubs, or, essentially, anything else. His family was still in the states, so he was on his own in a strange land with the hopes of one day making it back to America and pitching in the Major Leagues. He knew the odds were against him, as less than one quarter of gaijin (the Japanese word for "foreigner") ballplayers who go to Japan appear in the majors at any point thereafter. 

And even though he was confident in his skills, he struggled off the bat--even being demoted to the Japanese equivalent of the minor leagues. But when you're chasing a dream, there is expected to be several roadblocks and obstacles. Tony refused to be deterred. And after six seasons in Japan, across all levels, the starter became a reliever, who then became a closer. In 2015, after a season with 41 saves and a 1.29 ERA, he finally got the call he had been waiting for. Signing with the Texas Rangers on December 15, 20015, Tony would make his first appearance in a Major League game on April 5, 2016.

Barnette would go on to pitch four seasons with the Rangers and Chicago Cubs, fulfilling a lifelong dream that seemed at many times would not happen. 

Through extensive research and reporting, author Aaron Fischman worked directly with Barnette to tell his story of perseverance, determination, and never giving up on your dream. With the support of his loving family and friends--as well as his teammates and coaches across two continents--A Baseball Gaijin is a feel-good story that can be enjoyed by baseball and non-baseball fans alike.