Giant Baba Joins the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance

by Mark Long

Giant Baba - historyofwrestling.comShohei “Giant Baba” Baba joins the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA).  Baba had formerly been a top pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of the  Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. He was honored as the league’s best pitcher in three out his four seasons on the main roster. After an injury to his elbow, he retired from baseball and met Japanese wrestler and promoter Rikidōzan, who signed him to train with JWA. Baba would debut on September 30, 1960 on the same card where future rival Antonio Inoki would also debut.