O’Malley Family Friendship with Nagoya/Chunichi Dragons

October 1-11, 1959 – The Dodgers participate in an exhibition in Nagoya, Japan with materials about the new Dodger Stadium to be built in Los Angeles. Also, photographs of players who participated in the 1956 Dodgers’ Goodwill Tour to Japan are included. Some half a million visitors attend the exhibit. Nagoya and L.A. are sister cities.

Spring Training, 1961 – At Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida, the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants team visited for training. Japan Baseball Hall of Famer Shigeru Makino, infielder for the Nagoya/Chunichi Dragons from 1952-1959, had two coaching stints for the Giants beginning in 1961. He was the first Dragon player at Dodgertown. He studied the “Dodger Way to Play Baseball” at Dodgertown during 1961 Spring Training and used what he learned to help train the Giants players and staff, helping them win 11 Japan Series.

April 12, 1962 – In pregame ceremonies for the first Japan Night at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers exchange home plates with Nagoya, Japan, sister city of Los Angeles. The Chunichi Dragons home plate presented to Dodger center fielder Duke Snider on the field from Matao Uriu, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles reads “Los Angeles Dodgers, Nagoya Chunichi Dragons, April 12, 1962”.  

April, 1965 – Senichi Kanamori, president of the Chunichi Dragons baseball team of Nagoya, presented Dodger President Walter O’Malley with a commemorative home plate plaque wishing the Dodgers “good luck in 1965”. The gift was symbolic of the friendship and cultural exchange through baseball. Nagoya and Los Angeles became sister cities in 1959 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s People to People program which was established three years before. It turned out that the good wishes were effective as the Dodgers won the 1965 World Championship.

November, 1965 – The Dodgers send Coach Roy Hartsfield as an instructor to Japan to assist Nagoya’s Chunichi Dragons. From 1969-72, he was on Walter Alston’s major league coaching staff.

November 18, 1966 – Robert A. MacCallum, American Vice Consul for the Consulate of the United States of America in Nagoya, Japan writes to Dodger President Walter O’Malley about the Dodgers’ 1966 Goodwill Tour to Japan. “Dear Mr. O’Malley: I hope your trip back to the States was a smooth one and that you and all the Dodgers enjoyed Japan as much as Japan enjoyed you. It’s visits like this that provide the people-to-people common ground that Japan-America relations need. The impact on Nagoya was tremendous...Thank you and Mrs. O’Malley again for your friendliness and courtesy.” 

September, 1967 – Michio Nishizawa, manager of the Nagoya/Chunichi Dragons of Japan, observes the Dodger team in the Arizona Instructional League. He was inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 and the pitcher/first baseman’s Chunichi uniform No. 15 is retired. 

March, 1968 – Sotaro Suzuki, Japan Baseball Hall of Fame columnist, introduced Hiromitsu Tsuchiya, a retired Nagoya/Chunichi infielder and active coach, to Peter O’Malley for the purpose of attending spring training at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida. In his January 28, 1968 letter of introduction, Suzuki writes, “The object of his present trip to the States is for the betterment of his baseball knowledge. Mr. Tsuchiya is very anxious to see the activities at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida, and would like to get a permission from you to the effect that he could get into the premises freely.” Tsuchiya was welcomed to Dodgertown.

Spring Training, 1969 –Satoru Sugiyama of Chunichi Press observes the camp at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida and the opening game of the regular season.        

Spring Training, 1971 – Peter O’Malley makes arrangements for Sadayuki Tokutake, who finished his career with the Chunichi Dragons and was a retired bonus player with the Yakult Swallows, to observe the Dodgertown, Vero Beach training camp and stay the summer in L.A.

September 10-13, 1986 – Peter O’Malley builds “Dodger Baseball Field” in the People’s Republic of China as a gift to the Tianjin Institute of Physical and Cultural Education. Senichi Hoshino, Japan Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons and a commentator for Japan’s NHK-TV, attended September 12 dedication ceremonies along with his friend Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara who introduced him to O’Malley.  

February, 1987 – Ike Ikuhara, Assistant to Dodger President Peter O’Malley, and Dodger batting instructor Ben Hines travel to Japan to assist the Chunichi Dragons.

February 26, 1987 – Peter O’Malley welcomes former Chunichi Dragons second baseman Morimichi Takagi to Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida to observe spring training. Takagi, a Japan Baseball Hall of Famer, played 21 seasons and had 2,274 hits, while also managing the Dragons for seven seasons.

1987 – By special arrangement, the Chunichi Dragons of Nagoya, Japan send two rookies (Takeshi Yamasaki and Tetsuo Arakawa) to play for the Sarasota Dodgers farm team of the Gulf Coast League. 

November 30, 1987 – First-year Chunichi Manager Senichi Hoshino meets with Peter O’Malley at O’Malley’s Dodger Stadium office to discuss international baseball.

February 16-March 5, 1988 – The Chunichi Dragons train at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida for two and a half weeks, their first visit to the spring site. Miichiro Katoh, chairman of the board of Chunichi Shimbun and Dragons owner, arrived at Dodgertown on March 2 and was welcomed by O’Malley with a Dodger jacket. O’Malley and his longtime assistant Ike Ikuhara held a press conference to announce five Chunichi players would remain in the Dodger minor league system for the 1988 season. O’Malley said, “It’s another example of the excellent exchanges, the good that can come from exchanging coaches, instructors, trainers and ballplayers. We think that’s all very constructive and very positive and we’re happy to do it.” The Dragons presented a framed commemorative home plate to O’Malley with the inscription, “To Los Angeles Dodgers in Friendship and Appreciation, Chunichi Dragons, Japan Central League, Spring Camp, Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Fla.”

     Japan Baseball Hall of Fame infielder Hiromitsu Ochiai trained with Chunichi that spring and later managed the Dragons from 2004-2011, winning the Japan Series in 2007. Ochiai was NPB’s only three-time Triple Crown batting award winner.    

     Dragons Manager Senichi Hoshino requested through O’Malley that left-handed pitcher Masahiro Yamamoto stay with the Vero Beach Dodgers for training with Ike Ikuhara, assistant to O’Malley. Ikuhara told Yamamoto, “Never give up. If you do, that’s the end.” Ikuhara encouraged Yamamoto to develop a new pitch – a screwball. After working on Yamamoto’s mechanics, Ikuhara was delighted to see him pitch well going 13-7 for Single-A Vero Beach. Upon his return to Japan, he went 5-0 and helped the Dragons to the 1988 Central League championship. Yamamoto would have even greater success, as he completed 29 seasons for Chunichi with 219 wins until his retirement in 2015 at age 50. In 2008, as a tribute to Ikuhara who passed away in 1992, when Yamamoto won his 200^th game, he put the game ball in front of Ike’s picture at his home. In 2022, Yamamoto was inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame. The other four players that stayed in the Dodger player development system in 1988 were pitcher Hidetsugu Nishimura, outfielder-third baseman Yasuharu Fujio, outfielder Kazuyoshi Kohyama, and infielder Hiroyuki Maebara.

1989 – The Dodgers work out the details for three Chunichi pitchers to play for the Single-A Vero Beach Dodgers and the Kissimmee Dodgers of the Gulf Coast League during the 1989 season. Under Ike Ikuhara’s supervision were Yasuhiro Kawabata and Masaaki Kamanaka (Vero Beach) and Koji Takahashi (Kissimmee).

October 17, 1989 – Former Chunichi third baseman Sadayuki Tokutake meets with Dodger President Peter O’Malley at Dodger Stadium. Tokutake played for Chunichi (1968-1970), before becoming Dragons’ manager in 1995. Their friendship dates to 1971 when they first met.

October 25, 1989 – Dodger President Peter O’Malley presents a 1988 Dodger World Championship black bat to friend Senichi Hoshino, manager of the Chunichi Dragons, at Dodger Stadium and visits with him again on October 27 at Game 3 of the 1989 World Series at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. In 2017, Hoshino was inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame.

November 4, 1989 – On a two-day stop in Tokyo, Peter O’Malley attends the Oldtimers All-Star Game at Tokyo Dome and was greeted by Senichi Hoshino, Japan Baseball Hall of Famer of the Chunichi Dragons, Sadaharu Oh and Tetsuharu Kawakami, both Tokyo Yomiuri Giants Japan Baseball Hall of Fame former players and managers.

March, 1990 – Miichiro Katoh, chairman of the board, Chunichi Shimbun and Dragons owner, commissioned Takehiko Seki, metal craftsman in Japan, to create an 18” high silver pagoda as a gift to Dodger President Peter O’Malley “to commemorate the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 100th Anniversary”. Seki wrote, “I have produced this work with the best of my ability and heart by the method of traditional technology (craft) in order to congratulate you for good will friendship through the exchange of baseball between United States and Japan.”

April 8, 1990 – On the occasion of the Dodgers’ 100th Anniversary, Miichiro Katoh, chairman of the board, Chunichi Shimbun and owner of the Dragons, writes to Dodger President Peter O’Malley, “We would like to congratulate the 100th Anniversary of the Dodgers from the bottom of our hearts. We deeply respect you and the Dodgers organization’s bright history of the great dedication to the prosperity of the Major League Baseball of the United States…Please accept one of the Japanese traditional crafts, ‘Five Storied Pagoda’ as our warmest wish for the Dodgers’ eternal prosperity. This ‘Five Storied Pagoda’ was made with silver material by Mr. Takehiko Seki who is one of the most famous artists in Japan. Since I could see you in your country a few years ago, it has been my great pleasure to know, according to many kinds of news, that you are working very energetically for the development of the baseball not only in your country, but also all over the world. I don’t know enough good words to appreciate your great cooperation for the Dragons and manager Hoshino. I heartily wish the health and prosperity of you and your family as well as of the Dodgers.” On April 9, 1990, Chunichi President Satoru Nakayama presents the encased 18” high silver pagoda to O’Malley at Dodger Stadium on behalf of Chairman Katoh and the Dragons. 

November 1, 1991 – Peter O’Malley and his longtime assistant Ike Ikuhara meet with Masahiro Yokoyama, business manager of the Chunichi Dragons, at the Takanawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo.

November 2, 1991 – During pregame of the Japan vs. Korea pro baseball All-Star Series, Dodger President Peter O’Malley visits on the field with former relief pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons Michitake Takahashi and Hiromori Kawashima, President of the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball. 

November 3, 1991 – On the field at Yokohama Stadium, Japan, Dodger President Peter O’Malley and his assistant Ike Ikuhara meet with Chunichi Dragons first baseman/outfielder Yasuaki Taiho.

November 10, 1991 – Dave Wiggins of the Mainichi Daily News writes in his column about Peter O’Malley, who is in Japan for the Japan vs. Korea pro baseball all-star series. “The Dodgers are my business, international baseball is my hobby,” said O’Malley. “Some people golf, some collect antiques. I enjoy watching our great sport of baseball grow worldwide.” Wiggins said, “But the truth be known, O’Malley’s contact with international baseball is not one of mere indulgence in leisure pleasure. The man giveth to, much more than he taketh from the sport worldwide.” Wiggins writes O’Malley “has traveled abroad nearly 100 times to personally oversee Dodger international contributions.” In a second column on November 17, Wiggins discusses O’Malley’s concept for a true World Series. O’Malley said, “It will be the best two TEAMS in the world going at it in a seven-game World Series. Say, the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chunichi Dragons…But the international playoffs would involve more than just the U.S. and Japan. The possibilities are endless and exciting. I’m a firm believer in baseball bridging cultures and bringing countries together, not driving a wedge between them.”

December 16, 1994 – Chunichi Dragons star pitcher Masahiro Yamamoto visits Peter O’Malley at Dodger Stadium in appreciation of his support in 1988 at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida. Yamamoto, a Japan Baseball Hall of Famer, won 219 games.

April 28, 1997 – In an interview with Tomoya Mori, Peter O’Malley said, “At the opening ceremony in 1986 (for the baseball stadium in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China), the current Chunichi Dragons Manager, Mr. Senichi Hoshino and Mr. Renzo Ishii attended (both are Japan Baseball Hall of Famers). Also, my long time (Japan Baseball Hall of Fame) Assistant Ike Ikuhara was present. Now, when I look back at it to have representatives from Japan and America to attend the groundbreaking of a baseball stadium in China, in such a multitude, I remember being very excited.”

October 27, 1999 – At the invitation of his longtime friend and Japan Baseball Hall of Fame member Senichi Hoshino, manager of the Chunichi Dragons, Peter O’Malley throws the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 4 of the Japan Series between the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks and the Chunichi Dragons at Nagoya Dome. O’Malley also received a lifetime gold pass from the Dragons.

November 7, 2002 – At Victoria de Giron Stadium in Havana, Cuba, Peter O’Malley meets with Hirohiko Oshima, Chairman, Chunichi Shimbun and honorary owner of the Chunichi Dragons prior to the Chunichi vs. Cuba exhibition game celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations.

August 5, 2008 – Chunichi Sports reported on the 200th win by Masahiro Yamamoto of the Dragons. Yamamoto pitched only for the Dragons and gave credit to Ike Ikuhara, the Assistant to Dodger President Peter O’Malley, to revive his career in 1988.

January 18, 2009 – Peter O’Malley travels to Nagoya, Japan to attend celebration ceremonies for Chunichi Dragons pitcher Masahiro Yamamoto, who had won his 200th game during the 2008 season. In 1988, Yamamoto received special instruction and learned a screwball during Spring Training from Ike Ikuhara at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida. Yamamoto remained in the Dodger minor league system during the 1988 season before returning to Japan, where his career blossomed and flourished. He remains grateful to O’Malley and Ikuhara for their special attention. Also at the celebration was Shigeru Sugishita, Japan Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher from Chunichi.

2015 – Peter O’Malley receives a two-page handwritten letter from pitcher Masahiro Yamamoto who is preparing for his 29th and final season with Chunichi. He writes in part, “First of all, thank you very much for your letter. Because I never dreamed that I get a letter from you, I am impressed very much. In 1988, I could meet you and Mr. Ikuhara in Dodgers, and my life completely changed. I was taught the most important thing of the baseball by both of you and Ike-san, and I can continue playing baseball in this year to become 50 years old. I cannot thank you enough…In closing, a picture of Mr. Ikuhara, when he lived was left, and I enclosed it. Please watch it and talk about the good old days with him. I always thank you for your help and kindness. Please take care of yourself and your families. I hope I can see you again sometime soon. Sincerely yours, Masahiro Yamamoto.”  

February 24, 2016 – Masahiro Yamamoto, the recently retired pitching legend of the Chunichi Dragons, makes a triumphant return to Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Florida to film Japan’s prestigious nationwide show, “Another Sky.” The format of the Nippon TV Network program features an interview with a guest at their most memorable place in the world and Yamamoto selected Historic Dodgertown because it turned around his baseball career in 1988. Yamamoto worked under the tutelage of Ike Ikuhara, assistant to Peter O’Malley, during Spring Training and that season with the Single-A Vero Beach Dodgers before returning to Japan. The instruction Yamamoto received launched his career and he went on to win 219 games in 29 seasons with Chunichi. Yamamoto frequently journeyed from Japan to Los Angeles to pay respects at Ikuhara’s gravesite.

January 4, 2018 – Upon Senichi Hoshino’s passing at age 70, Peter O’Malley said, “Baseball fans in Japan have lost one of their most popular players, managers and commentators with the passing of Senichi Hoshino. My earliest recollection of him is when he very successfully pitched for the Chunichi Dragons against the Yomiuri Giants in the 1970s. After he retired as a player, he was by my side in Tianjin, China when we opened the Dodger Goodwill Baseball Field at Tianjin University in 1986. He was a lifetime friend and I have great memories of when, under his leadership, he brought the Dragons to Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Florida in 1988 for spring training. I will miss talking international baseball with him.”

NOTE:  Chunichi Dragons officials admired the way the Dodgers conducted their business and beginning in 1987 they designed their team uniforms with similar blue script and tail after the “s” in Dragons in honor of the Dodgers. 

Researched and written by Brent Shyer and Robert Schweppe