Treasures and Memories of Japan

For nearly 70 years, the O’Malley family and Japan have enjoyed the friendliest of relationships, mainly conjoined through the universal sport of baseball. It took vision, nurturing and investment, but both sides have reaped the fruits of those seeds sown in the mid-1950s.

The strong ties that bind enabled significant cultural exchanges with Japan Baseball Commissioners, League Presidents, team owners and executives; team and individual player instruction in Japan and at world-famous Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida on numerous occasions for training camp visits alongside the major league Dodgers; welcoming players from Japan to the U.S. minor leagues to learn fundamentals and compete for a season; the development and growth of international baseball, including 1956 and 1966 Dodgers’ Goodwill Tours to Japan and a 1993 Dodgers’ Friendship Series to Japan; and the 1995 signing of pitcher Hideo Nomo, which opened the door for additional Japan-born players to participate in MLB which continues to expand to this day.

Friendships are many and have been long lasting. First, under the leadership of Dodger President Walter O’Malley and then continuing with his son, Peter, whose passion for helping baseball to grow and thrive worldwide has been evident for decades. The O’Malley family has been at the forefront of guiding international baseball to greater heights with their leadership and comprehensive activities and outreach, all while building a bridge between the two countries. These are some of their treasures and memories.