Wakabayashi himself was not opposed to the idea of remaining in Japan, and it seemed only a matter of time before he was admitted into Hosei University.

Wakabayashi graduated from the junior high school in March 1929, and entered Hosei University the next semester.

He was unsuccessful in his first year due to differences between Japanese and American baseball, but gradually improved to win the league championship in Autumn, 1930.

In July, 1935, the Tokyo Kyojin Gun baseball team returned from their tour in the United States, and numerous companies, including the Hanshin Electric Railway company, joined to form the first professional baseball league in Japan.

Wakabayashi doubled as a manager and player throughout the 1940s, and joined the Pacific League Mainichi Orions in 1950, when the modern two-league system of Japanese baseball was established.

Wakabayashi announced his retirement in 1953, and he pitched his last professional game that year to mark his 1000th strikeout.

[1] After retiring, he was given a position in the Mainichi franchise, but left after only one year to become a coach for the Tombow Unions.

The award is considered the "MVP outside of the baseball field" and recognizes one Hanshin Tigers' athlete each year who has demonstrated exceptional and sustained social and community services.