Brooklyn Dodgers 1956 Goodwill Tour to Japan - Game by Game

Dodgers vs. Yomiuri Giants at Korakuen Stadium, Tokyo - October 19, 1956

Yomiuri 5, Dodgers 4

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WP — Takumi Otomo. LP — Don Bessent. HR: Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Andy Miyamoto, Kazuhiko Sakazaki, Tetsuharu Kawakami 2.

Dodger Record 0-1.

GAME NOTES: The National League Champion Dodgers lost the first game of their Goodwill Tour to Japan to the Yomiuri Giants. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Yomiuri Shimbun publisher Matsutaro Shoriki, State Minister and “The Father of Japanese Professional Baseball.” John M. Allison, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, was in attendance amongst the more than 20,000 fans at Korakuen on an overcast day. National League President Warren C. Giles, Dodger President Walter O’Malley and Sotaro Suzuki, renowned Japanese sportswriter and trip organizer for Yomiuri met in the morning at Shoriki’s residence. The Giants stunned the Dodgers by pounding four home runs, including two by Tetsuharu Kawakami. Giants’ first baseman Kawakami was a five-time batting champion in his 18-year career. He was inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1965. He also managed Yomiuri to 11 Japan Series victories in 13 seasons (1961-73) and nine consecutive titles from 1965-73. Dodger starter Don Drysdale and relief pitcher Don Bessent each surrendered two homers. Two ace Giants pitchers — starter Takumi Otomo and reliever Sho Horiuchi — struck out 16 Dodgers, who appeared weary from their transpacific trip. The Dodgers did all their scoring in the third inning with singles by Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella, a triple by Gino Cimoli and home runs by Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges.

Dodgers vs. All-Central League at Korakuen Stadium, Tokyo - October 20, 1956

Dodgers 7, All-Central 1

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WP — Clem Labine. LP — Masaichi Kaneda. HR: Roy Campanella, 2.

Dodger Record 1-1.

GAME NOTES: The Dodgers jumped out of the gate in the first inning to score four runs and were never headed. Catcher Roy Campanella belted a grand slam which scored Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges. Snider’s single was his first hit in Japan. In the third inning, Campy made it 6-0 with his second homer of the game, scoring Hodges who had walked. All-Central League scored in the last of the ninth on a RBI double by Andy Miyamoto of the Yomiuri Giants. Dodger starter Clem Labine went the distance for the victory, allowing four hits. Masaichi Kaneda of the Kokutetsu Swallows left the game after loading the bases in the first inning. Noboru Akiyama, of the Taiyo Whales, gave up Campanella’s grand slam and also his two-run homer. Southpaw Kaneda, the 1956 Central League Pitcher of the Year, had 20 or more wins for 14 consecutive seasons with the Swallows (1951-64). Known as the “greatest Japanese pitcher of all-time,” he also managed the Lotte Orions to the Japan Series championship in 1974. In 1988, Kaneda was inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Korakuen Stadium, Tokyo - October 21, 1956

All-Japan 6, Dodgers 1

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WP — Masayoshi Miura. LP — Don Newcombe. HR: Yasumitsu Toyoda, Futoshi Nakanishi.

Dodger Record 1-2.

GAME NOTES: A crowd of 45,000 fans at Tokyo’s Korakuen Stadium watched the All-Japan team (stars from the Pacific and Central Leagues) jump out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning off Don Newcombe, Dodger ace pitcher and 27-game winner, who was chased after only 17 pitches. A two-run home run by Yasumitsu Toyoda of the Nishitetsu Lions, who was the 1956 Japan Series MVP, in that frame gave the All-Japan stars all the runs they would need. Ed Roebuck replaced Newcombe in the first inning and he later surrendered a fifth-inning two-run home run by Futoshi Nakanishi of the Nishitetsu Lions. Nakanishi led the Pacific League with 29 home runs and 95 RBI and a .324 batting average, just one-half percentage point from being the triple crown winner. Nakanishi led the Pacific League in home runs for the fourth straight season. Roy Campanella went 2-for-4, including an RBI double in the fourth inning to score Gil Hodges, who had walked, for the only Dodger run. In a special home run contest before the game, the Dodgers’ Duke Snider, Hodges and Roy Campanella beat All-Japan’s stars, Nakanishi, Kazuhiro Yamanouchi and Andy Miyamoto, 19-15, as Hodges led the way with 8. It was the second win for a Japanese team over the Dodgers in three games on the tour and the fifth victory by a Japanese team over a visiting U.S. Major League club in Japan’s history.

Dodgers vs. Yomiuri Giants at Maruyama Stadium, Sapporo - October 23, 1956

Dodgers 1, Yomiuri 0

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Dodger Record 2-2.

GAME NOTES: Duke Snider homered into the right-center field seats at Sapporo’s Maruyama Stadium in the ninth inning to lift the Dodgers to a 1-0 victory over the Yomiuri Giants. Snider collected three of the Dodgers’ eight hits. Dodger right-handed pitcher Carl Erskine had a masterful performance, limiting the Giants to just three hits, while striking out seven and did not allow a runner to reach second base. Central League MVP Takehiko Bessho, who came in to replace starter Sho Horiuchi in the seventh inning, suffered the loss as he served up Snider’s homer. The game was played before 30,000 fans in only one hour, 36 minutes. Toshibumi Tanaka, Governor of Hokkaido, made the ceremonial first pitch. That ball arrived via helicopter onto the field prior to the ceremony.

Dodgers vs. All-Kanto All Stars at Miyagi Stadium, Sendai - October 24, 1956

Dodgers 8, All-Kanto 0

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Dodger Record 3-2.

GAME NOTES: The Dodgers continued their fine pitching with back-to-back shutouts, this time at the expense of the All-Kanto team. The Dodgers scored four runs in the third inning to make a winner of starter Fred Kipp, who pitched the first seven innings. Ralph Branca finished up the last two innings for the Dodgers, who moved above the .500 mark for the first time on the trip. In the third, the Dodgers scored on Duke Snider’s RBI single, a bases-loaded walk by Roy Campanella and a two-run single by Don Demeter. Jim Gilliam, Gino Cimoli and Demeter each had two hits in the Dodgers’ 11-hit attack.

A crowd of 30,000 watched the game in Miyagi Stadium in Sendai. The Dodgers were scheduled for an off-day on October 25, before returning to action in Mito against All-Kanto once again.

Dodgers vs. All-Kanto All Stars at Mito Prefectural Stadium, Mito - October 26, 1956

Dodgers 3, All-Kanto 3, tied — called because of darkness

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HR: Duke Snider

Dodger Record 3-2-1.

GAME NOTES: In a game called by darkness after nine full innings, the Dodgers and All-Kanto tied. The teams also had to keep a schedule to catch a train bound for Kofu for the next day’s game. The Dodgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning as Pee Wee Reese doubled and Duke Snider belted a home run. The Dodgers added a run in the sixth, but were unable to maintain the 3-0 lead in the bottom of the eighth. That’s when Dodger starter Don Drysdale gave up a ringing double by Yasumitsu Toyoda to score Akira Iwamoto and Andy Miyamoto. Those were the first Japanese runs in 29 innings off the Dodgers. Don Bessent relieved Drysdale and promptly was greeted by Kihachi Enomoto’s single to score Toyoda. Jim Gentile drove in the Dodgers’ third run and had two of their seven hits. Drysdale struck out four and walked five.

Dodgers vs. All-Kanto All Stars at Kofu Prefectural Stadium, Kofu - October 27, 1956

Dodgers 12, All-Kanto 1

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WP — Roger Craig. LP — Masahiko Oishi. HR: Jim Gentile 2, Don Demeter, Gino Cimoli.

Dodger Record 4-2-1.

GAME NOTES: The Dodgers busted out of their batting slump with a 16-hit barrage and routed the All-Kanto team at Kofu’s Prefectural Stadium before a capacity of 20,000 fans, 12-1. First baseman Jim Gentile led the Dodger hit parade with two home runs and five RBI. Outfielders Don Demeter and Gino Cimoli each belted home runs. Jackie Robinson had a double off Kanto starter Masahiko Oishi. Dodger starter Roger Craig struck out four and was the winning pitcher in his first start in Japan. Ed Roebuck and Fred Kipp came on in relief to shut the door on All-Kanto.

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Utsunomiya Stadium, Tochigi Prefecture, Utsunomiya - October 28, 1956

Dodgers 6, All-Japan 3

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WP — Clem Labine. LP — Yukio Shimabara. HR: Duke Snider, Jim Gentile.

Dodger Record 5-2-1.

GAME NOTES: The hot Dodger batters collected 15 hits, including a perfect 5-for-5 game by first baseman Jim Gentile, to defeat All-Japan stars, 6-3. Pitcher Clem Labine went the distance for the Dodgers, scattering seven hits to All-Japan. The offensive support included home runs by Duke Snider and Gentile. In the first inning, the Dodgers scored three times on hits by Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella and Snider’s home run. Gentile homered in the third to give the Dodgers a 4-1 advantage. All-Japan used four pitchers to try to shut down the Dodgers, including Yukio Shimabara and Kazuhisa Inao, both of the Nishitetsu Lions; Mitsuo Osaki of the Hanshin Tigers; and Katamasa Miura of the Daiei Stars.

Dodgers vs. All-Pacific League at Heiwadai Stadium, Fukuoka - October 30, 1956

Rained Out

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Shimonoseki Stadium, Shimonoseki - October 31, 1956

Dodgers 4, All-Japan 0

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WP — Fred Kipp. LP — Takao Kajimoto. HR: Don Demeter, Jim Gentile.

Dodger Record 6-2-1.

GAME NOTES: Dodger left-hander Fred Kipp’s two-hitter blanked the All-Japan stars at Shimonoseki Stadium, 4-0. Jim Gentile continued his torrid hitting with a 3-for-4 performance and his fourth home run of the tour. Don Demeter hit his second tour homer in the fifth inning off Noboru Akiyama, while Gentile notched his sixth-inning right field blast off Kazuhisa Inao. In the first inning, the Dodgers literally knocked Japan’s starting pitcher off the mound when a two-out line drive off the bat of Cino Cimoli hit southpaw Takao Kajimoto of the Hankyu Braves in the shoulder. Cimoli wound up with a triple and scored on Jackie Robinson’s single to right off relief pitcher Akiyama of the Taiyo Whales. Gil Hodges had two hits, including a RBI single in the ninth inning sending home Gentile, who had doubled, to complete the scoring. Kipp, who used a knuckleball, struck out seven and walked three in his best performance to date, giving the Dodgers three shutouts on the Japan tour.

Dodgers vs. Kansai All Stars at Hiroshima Stadium, Hiroshima - November 1, 1956

Dodgers 10, Kansai All Stars 6

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WP — Ed Roebuck. LP — Mitsuo Osaki. HR: Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Jim Gentile, Isami Okamoto, Asateru Kono.

Dodger Record 7-2-1.

GAME NOTES: An emotionally-charged afternoon preceded the Dodgers’ 10-6 victory in Hiroshima Stadium. Prior to the game, Dodger executives and players participated in ceremonies to dedicate to the city a bronze plaque at the entrance of the ballpark. Inscribed on the plaque were the words, “We dedicate this visit in memory of those baseball fans and others who here died by atomic action on Aug. 6, 1945. May their souls rest in peace and with God’s help and man’s resolution peace will prevail forever, amen.” The plaque bore the names of Dodger President Walter O’Malley, Dodger Manager Walter Alston, Dodger team captain Pee Wee Reese and other club officials. In the game, three Dodgers homered, including Duke Snider, Jim Gentile and Roy Campanella, whose sixth inning blow was a three-run shot to even the score at 4-4. The Dodgers broke the game open with a four-run seventh inning. Kansai’s Yukio Shimbara walked Reese, Snider and Campanella and the trio pulled off an improbable triple steal, with Reese scoring to give the Dodgers the 5-4 lead. Gentile’s homer followed and the Dodgers were on their way, although Ed Roebuck gave up a monstrous ninth inning home run to Asateru Kono of the Hankyu Braves to the centerfield backscreen. Kansai took a 1-0 lead in the first inning off Don Drysdale, but Snider’s home run to right field evened the score in the fourth. Kansai went ahead 4-1 in the last of the fourth on a three-run home run by Isami Okamoto off Drysdale. In the third inning, Jackie Robinson was the first Dodger ejected by an umpire on the Japan tour. Robinson protested a call by 16-year National League umpire Jocko Conlan in the third inning and was tossed by the umpire who stated that Robinson said he was “out of position” and “hollered too much.” Robinson was replaced by Reese at second base for the duration of the game. Robinson, who walked to first base to talk with Conlan after the Japanese batter was called safe on a ground ball, explained his actions, “Everybody knew Jocko missed the play because he was in back of the plate and couldn’t see clearly, but when I told him, he got angry.” Associated Press story, Asahi Evening News, November 5, 1956

Dodgers vs. Giants-Hawks All Stars at Namba Stadium, Osaka - November 2, 1956

Dodgers 14, Giants-Hawks All Stars 0

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WP — Roger Craig. LP — Sho Horiuchi. HR: Jim Gentile 2, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Jim Gilliam, Randy Jackson, Don Demeter.

Dodger Record 8-2-1.

GAME NOTES: The Dodgers’ fourth shutout of the tour was a memorable one, as they pounded out eight home runs en route to a 14-0 victory over the combined Yomiuri Giants and Osaka Hawks stars before a packed house of 40,000 fans at Namba Stadium in Osaka. In the second inning alone, the Dodgers blasted four home runs, including ones by Jim Gentile, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese and Duke Snider. The first three homers came off starter Sho Horiuchi, while Snider’s roundtripper was off Tokumi Nomo. Gentile hit his second of the game and seventh of the Japan tour in the eighth inning. Jim Gilliam, Randy Jackson and Don Demeter all went deep for the Dodgers, as well. The beneficiary was starter Roger Craig, who picked up the win with some relief help by Ralph Branca. Dodger pitcher and fine hitter Don Newcombe made an appearance as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. But, he grounded out to second base, after kidding with the umpire that he was upset over a close pitch. In 1955, Newcombe had set a National League single-season record for most home runs by a pitcher with seven.

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Koshien Stadium, Osaka - November 3, 1956

Dodgers 14, All-Japan 7

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WP — Clem Labine. LP — Mitsuo Osaki. HR: Jim Gilliam, Don Demeter, Gil Hodges, Herb Olson, Kohei Sugiyama.

Dodger Record 9-2-1.

GAME NOTES: Power production continued for the Dodgers as they racked up 14 runs and 14 hits, including 4 home runs. In a wild game at Koshien Stadium near Osaka, the Dodgers built a 7-3 lead only to see All-Japan bounce back to tie the score at 7-7 after seven innings. The game almost did not make it past the sixth inning, when longtime National League umpire Jocko Conlan tried to halt the game because of darkness and a light drizzle. But the nearly 40,000 fans in attendance would have none of it, chanting “Yaro!” (Play ball!). After a 20-minute delay as Japanese and Dodger officials discussed the situation, the game was resumed as to not disappoint the fans who had come from near and far to watch the exhibition. According to an AP story, “Koshien Stadium, Japan’s largest is never used at night after Sept. 30 and the price of getting the electricity restored would be prohibitive. They would have to pay a full month’s power bill for a few minutes’ use.” Associated Press, Pacific Stars & Stripes, November, 1956  The Dodgers put the game away with a seven-run outburst in the eighth inning on three singles, two walks and a three-run home run by catcher Herb Olson, was on the tour roster, but never would appear in a regular season game for the Dodgers. Second baseman Jim Gilliam went 3-for-5 with a home run and 3 RBI, while Don Demeter was 2-for-5 with a home run and Gil Hodges was 2-for-2 with a homer. Clem Labine picked up the victory in relief of Don Bessent and Ed Roebuck.

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Nishinomiya Stadium, Osaka - November 4, 1956

All-Japan 3, Dodgers 2

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WP — Masaichi Kaneda. LP — Clem Labine. HR: Don Demeter, Duke Snider.

Dodger Record 9-3-1.

GAME NOTES: All-Japan snapped the Dodgers’ six-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory at Nishinomiya Stadium. An overflow crowd of 45,000 was on its feet as the All-Japan stars scored a ninth-inning run to win. Masao Morishita of the Nankai Hawks doubled to start the rally in the ninth, followed by a Ken Yamashita single, sending Morishita to third. A walk to pinch-hitter Kenjiro Tamiya of the Hanshin Tigers loaded the bases. Yomiuri Giants first baseman Tetsuharu Kawakami blooped a single to short center field out of Don Demeter’s reach for the game-winning single. It was Kawakami’s second hit and second RBI of the game. The Dodgers had tied the score in the top of the ninth on Duke Snider’s 400-foot home run to center field off reliever Masaichi Kaneda of the Kokutetsu Swallows. It was Snider’s sixth homer of the Japan tour. Demeter hit his fifth home run of the Japan tour in the second inning off Japanese starter Takehiko Bessho of the Yomiuri Giants to put the Dodgers on top 1-0. All-Japan collected 11 hits, including doubles by Kazuhiro Yamauchi and Morishita, combined off Dodger starter Fred Kipp and reliever Clem Labine.

Dodgers vs. Giants, Dragons, Tigers All Stars at Gifu Stadium, Gifu - November 6, 1956

Rained Out

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Chunichi Stadium, Nagoya - November 7, 1956

Dodgers 3, All-Japan 2

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WP — Roger Craig. LP — Hiroomi Oyane.

Dodger Record 10-3-1.

GAME NOTES: The Dodgers traveled to Nagoya where they edged the All-Japan stars, 3-2. Right-hander Roger Craig went the distance for the Dodgers, giving up five hits and striking out eight batters. All three Dodger runs scored in the fourth inning, as Duke Snider walked, Roy Campanella singled and Jim Gentile walked. Gil Hodges hit a double to drive in Snider and Campanella and Gentile scored on a wild pitch by All-Japan starter Hiroomo Oyane. Three of All-Japan’s five hits came in the first inning, but Craig settled down and got the side in order the rest of the way, with the lone exception of the sixth inning when Pee Wee Reese kicked a grounder for an error and Craig allowed a single before a double play ended Japan’s chances. Hodges was the star of the show as he wowed the crowd of 25,000 with a “clown act,” pantomiming the action on almost every play from his left field position, as rookie Gentile played first base. In his new act, Hodges made thousands of friends in Japan who read his sketch in the program to learn more about him. “Hodges, the mimic, pantomimed the action of the pitcher, the catcher and the umpire. When a Dodger made an error, Hodges glowered and pointed his finger. At various times, he made his legs quiver, shook his fist, stamped on the ground, swung his arms, frowned and smiled. This strange, new routine, never seen by Ebbets Field fans, started during the Dodgers’ first trip out of Tokyo during their 20 game exhibition series. Hodges has been doing his act in the smaller towns but played it straight during a three game series in Osaka, Japan’s No. 2 city. When he left the game in the eighth inning, Hodges was called back to take a bow amidst cheers. ‘You’d have thought Babe Ruth was leaving a game in the old days,’ said a Dodger official.” Associated Press story, Chicago Daily Tribune, November 8, 1956

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Kusanagi Stadium, Shizuoka - November 8, 1956

All-Japan 3, Dodgers 2

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WP — Takoa Kajimoto. LP — Fred Kipp. HR: Satoru Sugiyama.

Dodger Record 10-4-1.

GAME NOTES: The All-Japan stars broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the ninth as pinch-hitter Kohei Sugiyama singled to right field with runners at first and second base to score the winning run off relief pitcher Don Bessent. Masao Morashita singled to center to start the inning and a late throw to second base by Dodger starter Fred Kipp on a bunt by Takashi Iwamoto set up the run-scoring play and delight the crowd of 20,000 fans. Manager Walter Alston summoned Bessent in to pitch and the Japanese countered with Sugiyama pinch-hitting for winning pitcher Takoa Kajimoto. Japan jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, but the Dodgers knotted the score in the fifth on a single by Herb Olson and an RBI double by Kipp, who later scored on an infield error. Satoru Sugiyama hit a two-run home run off Kipp in the second inning.

Dodgers vs. Yomiuri Giants at Korakuen Stadium, Tokyo - November 9, 1956

Dodgers 5, Yomiuri 4, 11 innings

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WP — Ed Roebuck. LP — Takehiko Bessho. HR: Jim Gentile, Herb Olson, Shigeru Fujio.

Dodger Record 11-4-1.

GAME NOTES: Takehiko Bessho decided not to follow the instructions of Yomiuri Giants Manager Shigeru Mizuhara and paid the price. With the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the 11th inning, the Dodgers got a lead-off single by Jim Gilliam and two outs later he was on second base with Jackie Robinson coming to the plate. That’s when Mizuhara ordered Bessho to intentionally walk Robinson. But, Bessho “shook off” the sign and his catcher Shigueru Fujio, who promptly ran to the mound and told the pitcher to follow the instructions of the manager. Fujio then ran to the Giants’ dugout to inform Mizuhara that the instructions had been delivered. Back on the mound, however, a defiant Bessho decided not to walk Robinson but to pitch to him. Robinson lashed a double to right-center field and Gilliam scored easily to put the Dodgers ahead 5-4. Bessho had entered the game in relief in the seventh inning and had not allowed a hit until Gilliam’s single in the 11th inning. Regarding Bessho’s decision, Mizuhara said, “He shouldn’t do such a thing. I instructed him to walk Robinson intentionally but he insisted on going with Robinson.” Associated Press story, New York Journal-American, November 9, 1956  Jim Gentile smashed his eighth home run of the Japan tour in the second inning to put the Dodgers on top 1-0. But, the Giants scored twice in that inning off Dodger starter Ralph Branca. The Dodgers got three more runs to go ahead 4-2 in the fourth inning. Herb Olson hit a two-run home run in that inning. Yomiuri scored single runs in the sixth and eighth to even the score. Ed Roebuck came in to pitch in the seventh for the Dodgers and earned the victory. Bessho had 310 lifetime wins pitching for the Nankai Hawks (1943, 1946-48) and the Giants (1949-57). He won the Sawamura Award (as Japan’s top pitcher) in 1947 and 1955 and was MVP in 1952 and 1956. He was inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Korakuen Stadium, Tokyo - November 10, 1956

Dodgers 8, All-Japan 2

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WP — Carl Erskine. LP — Hiroomi Oyane. HR: Gil Hodges 2, Don Zimmer.

Dodger Record 12-4-1.

GAME NOTES: First baseman Gil Hodges knocked two 400-foot home runs out of the park as the Dodgers amassed 18 hits in their 8-2 victory. Second baseman Don Zimmer also hit a home run in the seventh inning to complete the scoring. After the game, Zimmer returned to Cincinnati, Ohio to be with his father who was “critically ill.” Associated Press story, Chicago Daily Tribune, November 11, 1956  The Dodgers scored four runs in the first inning and took a 6-0 lead after three innings en route to their 12th victory of the Japan tour. Hodges hit his blasts in the first and third innings to jump-start the Dodger offense. The first of his home runs, a two-run shot to the upper left-field stands, came off Hiroomi Oyane of the Chunichi Dragons. His second homer and fifth of the Japan tour came at the expense of Masayoshi Miura. Jackie Robinson, who had doubled to left, rode home on that hit. Right-hander Carl Erskine started and picked up the victory for the Dodgers, with relief help from Don Bessent, who came in to pitch in the sixth inning. Japan’s Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Suga were part of the crowd of 35,000 in attendance at Tokyo’s Korakuen Stadium.

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Korakuen Stadium, Tokyo - November 12, 1956

Dodgers 10, All-Japan 2

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WP — Roger Craig. LP — Masaichi Kaneda. HR: Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese.

Dodger Record 13-4-1.

GAME NOTES: Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Roy Campanella and Pee Wee Reese each connected for home runs as the Dodgers rolled to a 10-2 win, their final appearance in Tokyo on the 1956 Goodwill Tour to Japan. Roger Craig was the beneficiary of the offensive onslaught as the Dodgers took a commanding 8-1 lead after six innings. Robinson, appearing in his next-to-last game as a Dodger, belted his final home run in a Dodger uniform and it was a memorable one — a 420-foot shot off Masaichi Kaneda in the second inning. Japan’s Takehito Bessho gave up home runs to Gil Hodges and Roy Campanella to nearly the exact same location in the left-field stands in the fourth inning. Reese’s homer was in the sixth inning with Jim Gilliam aboard. Following the game, the Dodgers flew to Kyushu to make up a rained out game in Fukuoka on November 13 to conclude their tour.

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Heiwadai Stadium, Fukuoka - November 13, 1956

Dodgers 3, All-Japan 1

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WP — Fred Kipp. LP — Kazuhisa Inao.

Dodger Record 14-4-1.

GAME NOTES: The Dodgers finished their 1956 Goodwill Tour to Japan with a 3-1 victory in Fukuoka’s Heiwadai Stadium over All-Japan in a make-up contest due to a rained out game on October 30. The Dodgers completed the trip with a 14-4-1 overall record, playing in front of more than 450,000 fans, an average of 24,000 per game. Fred Kipp went the distance for the Dodgers, scattering six hits. Kazushisa Inao, a 19-year-old rookie, held the Dodgers to one run for eight innings, but had to be replaced in the ninth inning by Masayoshi Miura. Inao was the Pacific League’s “Outstanding Rookie” in 1956, amassing a 21-6 record for the Nishitetsu Lions. But against Miura, Jackie Robinson singled home the tie-breaking run in the ninth inning in his last at bat in a Dodger uniform. With Don Demeter contributing another RBI, the Dodgers won their final game on the Goodwill Tour.