Denny, Tomori Yui

Like many of the ball players from Okinawa, I believe that his father was U.S. military. What I'm not sure about is whether that was his father's last name or Denny's middle and/or nick-name. (Japanese don't tend to have middle names.)

By the way, you'll find his listed with the registered name of "Denny" on my BayStars' team page, but as "Yui Tomori" on his player profile page. ShuBe's Player Meikan was my main source.

Thanks, Westbay-san. I was looking in your direction with this question. I noticed that he was from Okinawa, and I kind of figured that one of his parents was military.

By the way, I'd like to take this time to thank you for maintaining this site. It's my absolute favourite on the Internet. Thanks!

Thanks. Just keep in mind, my answer is third hand information at best, probably originated by someone who thought the same thing about Okinawan ball players. It's not fit to quote in the press. (Although, judging by what's been printed about Japanese baseball the past few years, the mainstream press isn't too concerned about accuracy.)

It's a known fact that Tomori's father was an American serviceman. So was the father of Irabu.

... and Kinugasa

Denny was his father's last name.

"Denney" (spelled with 2 'E's) Tomori decided to change his player registration name from Tomori Yu to Denney Tomori back in the late 1990s when he was still with the BayStars. He then had a few excellent seasons with the Lions after going over to Seibu in a trade.

The reason why he goes by "Denney" is because he has never met his father, a U.S. serviceman. Just like Sachio Kinugasa, he has hopes of someday meeting his father, and that's why he decided to have "Denney" stitched on the back of his uniform. He thought that by doing that, then he could catch the attention of his father, wherever he might be.

As far as I know, he still has not met his father.