One of the most successful closer in Japanese baseball history, only Kazuhiro Sasaki and Shingo Takatsu, both former Major Leaguers have more career saves in Japan than Kobayashi. A member of Japan's 2004 Olympic team, Kobayashi is the only pitcher in Japan to have saved more than 20 games in seven straight seasons. Pictured here is his 2003 BBM card, honoring his career high 37 saves during the 2002 season.