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Nike Nomo Incident

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Nike Nomo Incident
I can't find what year Hideo Nomo famously wore the Nike shoes during the All Star Game in Japan instead of the required Mizuno shoes. Does anyone know what year that was?
Comments
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: Guest: Bobby | Posted: Mar 28, 2008 7:55 AM ]

Sorry, another question. I've been trying to find, unsuccessfully as well, Nomo's stat line in the 1992 exhibition game where he pitched against MLB All Stars. Does anyone know where I can find this? Thanks.
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: Guest: Jim Allen | Posted: Mar 28, 2008 10:53 AM ]

Not related to that, but in the same vein is Nomo's All-Star game batting. I recall him batting twice in All-Star Games in Japan and neither time wearing a Buffaloes' helmet. Anybody remember which team's helmets he wore?

Related to Nike, but perhaps not to the shoes incident, is the story that Nomo was not going to come on the 1996 Major League All-Star tour because it was sponsored by Mainichi Shimbun - the Mainichi had been the only paper to print the Buffaloes owner's tirade that his team didn't need Nomo because he was burakumin.

Nomo only came, the story goes, because Nike gave him a million dollars, ostensibly to take part in a baseball clinic during the tour.
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: Guest: Bobby | Posted: Mar 30, 2008 4:36 PM ]

I don't know what helmet he was wearing, but why would he wear a different team's helmet? I like the story about Mainichi, it proves that money can buy anything.

Anyone with an idea on the first two questions I posted?
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: Guest: Jim Allen | Posted: Apr 3, 2008 9:42 AM ]

- why would he wear a different team's helmet?

He just liked being contrary, I suppose. I really don't know the answer to the shoes question.
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: Guest: Bobby | Posted: Apr 3, 2008 4:57 PM ]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised about Nomo, though what's wrong with feeling more comfortable in an Orix helmet and feeling pride in another team's colors? .

Thanks for your reply.
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Apr 8, 2008 6:19 PM | YBS Fan ]

I've heard back from Whiting-san, and his answer follows:
Good to hear from you. All of my notes from that era are in a warehouse in Yokohama and I can't get to them right now. But the details of that story came from Don Nomura, who, if memory serves, was involved in Nomo's shoe contract with Nike, an arrangement which mightily upset Kintetsu and the NPB which had a pact with Mizuno.

I think the All-star series you are asking about was in 1993, but I can't be sure without checking the notes (which were for a book I did in Japanese about Don Nomura called "Nii Zuru Kuni No Dorei Yakyu," published by Bungei Shunju in 1999).

The only other thing I can think of is ask Don Nomura. The last contact number I have for him is as follows:
    KDN
    900 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1114
    Los Angeles, California
    USA 90017
    Tel: 1-323-222-3366
I heard he has a new office in Japan, but I haven't talked to him in a long time.
Please keep in mind that this is not the definitive answer. But it should provide leads for further investigation.

I hope this helps.
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: Guest: Bobby | Posted: Apr 12, 2008 2:52 AM ]

Great! Thanks. I've actually just completed my report.

So thanks for all your help - your help was invaluable to me.
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: torakichi | Posted: Apr 12, 2008 4:58 PM | HT Fan ]

- I've actually just completed my report.

Any chance of us seeing it?
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: Guest: Bobby | Posted: Apr 23, 2008 5:22 AM ]

- Any chance of us seeing it?

Thank you for your interest. I really appreciate it. I am a bit nervous about sending my project out over the Internet as I am not sure the people I interviewed would be OK with that. I could send out my introduction, which has no interviews if you would like.
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Apr 29, 2008 10:24 AM | YBS Fan ]

I just heard back from Whiting-san, who talked with Nomura-san. Don Nomura, who negotiated the Nike contract, says that the Nomo/Nike deal was for the 1994 All Star Series.

Hope this helps.
Re: Nike Nomo Incident
[ Author: Guest: Bobby | Posted: May 16, 2008 8:33 AM ]

Thanks for following up. You have certainly helped me immensely. Thanks for all your help.
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