Japanese wrestling promoter Rikidōzan arranged for Giant Baba to begin his first tour of the United States. Baba, the 6′ 10″ for baseball player became a popular international star over the years, working as both a heel and a babyface in the United States. He wrestled for the National Wrestling Alliance territories from California to Florida up through the Northeast as a major draw because of his size. He returned to Japan in 1963.
