1962 Menko (Japenese) JCM 14E Chico Barbon Marukami Bat on Right (Larry Raines pictured). Barbon was a Cuban-born Japanese baseball second baseman who became the first Latin American player to play in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. He played the majority of his career for the Hankyu Braves, from 1955 to 1964. Raines was also a trailblazer, recognized for having been the first ballplayer to perform professionally in Minor League Baseball, Negro league baseball, Japanese Baseball and the major leagues.