Shohei Ohtani, Hideo Nomo Dodger Artifacts Headed for Hall of Fame Exhibit

The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., will open a new exhibit in July 2025 about the 150-plus years of the sport’s history in Japan.

According to a press release published on Thursday, It will explore the longstanding exchange of teams and players in those 15 decades in a new exhibit entitled “Yakyu/Baseball: The Transpacific Exchange of the Game between Japan and the United States.”

“For more than 150 years, baseball has been at the heart of the national culture in both the United States and Japan, with America’s National Pastime quickly becoming Japan’s national sport,” said Josh Rawitch, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “This exhibit will explore the transpacific exchange of baseball, including players, styles of play, equipment, and the fan experience. The stories we will tell will range from the challenge of the pioneer players on both sides of the Pacific to the achievements of today’s stars and the many celebrated tours of baseball teams in both countries. We hope fans from all over the world, including Japan, have a chance to enjoy this exhibit.”

Rawitch joined MLB now Thursday and showcased a few of the items that will be on display. One of them is a ball from Hideo Nomo’s no-hitter at Coors Field on Sept. 17, 1996, and another is a jersey worn by Shohei Ohtani during his first home series with the Dodgers.

“Unbelievable to have an artificial like that,” said Rawitch

Ironically, the exhibit will debut the same year that Ichiro Suzuki joins the ballot for the first time.  The exhibit will feature artifacts and stories about a game that became the most popular sport in Japan less than 50 years after the United States and Japan established diplomatic relations.

“I have great memories of watching the likes of Yu Darvish and Tsuyoshi Wada playing for my beloved Cubs at Wrigley Field,” said Rahm Emanuel, United States Ambassador to Japan. “Japanese players have contributed so much to our shared national pastime over the decades, and this exhibition highlights yet another aspect of our two countries’ deep-rooted friendship that has given joy to millions.”

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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