Pitcher Masanori Murakami was the first Japanese player to make the Major Leagues in 1964. When Hideo Nomo arrived in Los Angeles 30 years later, he generated so much excitement and interest that Nomo-mania was born. Still, it wasn't until 2001 that the first Japanese position players made the rosters of Major League Baseball - and it has proved to be a turning point in the globalization of the game.

The success of both Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki and Tsuyoshi Shinjo of the San Francisco Giants has been amazing. Ichiro recorded more hits than any rookie since 1911, won the American League batting title, Rookie of the Year, MVP Award and helped the Mariners win their division.

Shinjo established himself in 2001 as one of the New York Met's most valuable players. Nomo pitched his second no-hitter and re-established himself as one of the game's greatest pitchers. Mac Suzuki, Tomokazu Ohka, Masato Yoshii and Shigetoshi Hasegawa all succeeded on the Major League level.

Rising Sons chronicles these extraordinary men and explores the enormous impact they have had on the game, with emphasis on the skill, enthusiasm, intensity and national pride they bring to it. It includes exclusive interviews with each player and incredible game footage.