We should all have people in our lives as loyal to us as some fans and media around the Hanshin Tigers are to the memory of Randy Bass.

Much like NBA legend Michael Jordan never missing a game-winning shot, Bass never hit a ball that failed to circumnavigate the globe at least once.

In truth, Bass was a superstar player who has almost become a folk legend in retirement. Which is saying something, considering how actually amazing he was in the batter's box for Hanshin from 1983 to 1988. He's remembered as a burly, bearded slugger who carried a big bat, essentially the Central League's version of Paul Bunyan — or Colonel Sanders, depending on which stories you read.