Fumihito Haraguchi was recovering from surgery to combat cancer when the NPB season began.
On Friday night, he took his place among the best players in Japan as part of the Central League roster for this year's All-Star Series.
As if being an All-Star wasn't enough, the 27-year-old Hanshin Tigers catcher connected on a pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth that set off a wave of jubilation and raucous cheering that threatened to knock the roof off Tokyo Dome during the Pacific League's 6-3 win.