Katsuya Nomura was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) catcher and manager. During his over 26-season playing career mostly spent with the Nankai Hawks, he became one of NPB's greatest offensive catchers. He was awarded the Pacific League MVP Award five times, became the first NPB batter to win the Triple Crown in 1965, and holds the record for second-most home runs and RBIs in NPB history.
Nomura in 1959
Nomura in 2010
Nippon Professional Baseball Most Valuable Player Award
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is an annual Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) award given to two outstanding players, one each for the Central League (CL) and Pacific League (PL).
Sadaharu Oh, nine-time winner—more wins than any other player
Eiji Sawamura won the first Japanese Baseball League MVP award before NPB was formed in 1950.
Victor Starffin was the first player to win multiple MVP awards.
Tetsuharu Kawakami was one of only two players to win the award before and after the formation of NPB.