Over the years I've been asked, "Who is the No. 1 foreigner to have played in Japanese baseball?"

It is difficult to choose only one from among the nearly 1,000 men who have played with Central and Pacific League teams since 1950. Also, what do we mean by "No. 1?"

If you're talking longevity and statistics, I have to pick Alex Ramirez over such former stars as Tuffy Rhodes, Boomer Wells, Leron and Leon Lee, Alex Cabrera, Bobby Marcano, John Sipin, Warren Cromartie and Bobby Rose.