The National Baseball Hall of Fame is gearing up for an exciting new exhibit, the Transpacific Baseball Exhibit, which will shine a spotlight on the deep-rooted baseball connections between the United States and Japan. Set to debut in Cooperstown in July 2025, the exhibition’s opening coincides with the anticipated induction of Ichiro Suzuki into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot.
Ahead of the exhibit’s launch, select items will be showcased at Yankee Stadium, including a noteworthy addition from this year: a Dodgers jersey worn by Shohei Ohtani during the team’s initial homestand at Dodger Stadium from March 28 to April 3. Additionally, the exhibit will feature a significant artifact—a baseball pitched by Hideo Nomo during his memorable no-hitter for the Dodgers on September 17, 1996, at Coors Field in Denver.
Reflecting on the historical significance, one individual expressed gratitude for starting their career in 1995 amidst “Nomomania” and the leadership of the O’Malley family, pioneers in fostering baseball relations with Japan since the 1950s.
Offering insight into the experiences of American players in Japan, pitchers Michael Crotta, Mitch Lively, and former Dodgers reliever Chris Martin shared their perspectives with Tim Keown at ESPN. They highlighted the indispensable role of Ippei Mizuhara, who provided vital support during his tenure (2013-17) with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. The players emphasized the profound reliance on interpreters, considering them not just as essential conduits for communication but also as friends who facilitated their daily lives.
Meanwhile, the promising trajectory of Dodgers prospect Zyhir Hope, a 19-year-old outfielder at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, was discussed by Ben Badler at Baseball America during a recent podcast focused on standout performances by minor leaguers this season.
In a lighter vein, Davy Andrews delved into a whimsical yet intriguing question at FanGraphs: how frequently have major league players been serenaded by John Fogerty’s iconic tune “Centerfield” throughout their careers?
