This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/30/2012
Though he may not have been the very first player to come from Japan to play in the Major Leagues, Hideo Nomo certainly was the one who kicked the door down and opened the eyes of fans and front office executives alike to the massive potential residing across the ocean in the Nippon Professional Baseball League.
Offered here is a glove donned by Hideo during the height of Nomomania when he first broke into the big leagues in 1995 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nomo's signature and "Pro" are stamped in the palm of the glove while "Professional Use" and model number HN95016P are stamped on the inner thumb and pinkie, respectively. The glove also features a Nomo tornado patch on the wrist guard as well as yellow embroidery on the outer pinkie which reads "H. Nomo 16" and "Design by H. Nomo 16." Signs of use are evident throughout the pocket and webbing.
Nomo has also autographed the glove in both English and Japanese on the outer thumb in silver sharpie along with the inscription "To Raul." Our consignor is the cousin of Raul Mondesi and was gifted the glove several year later after the glove was given directly from Nomo to Raul. Per the memory of our consignor, Raul Mondesi told him the glove was worn during 1996 or there abouts. Although the exact date could not be determined, our consignor was certain that the glove was worn during a victory against the Colorado Rockies and given to Raul Mondesi immediately after the game. Images were limited, and we could not photo match this to any exact game, but we were without a majority of the games Nomo pitched in.
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS
(JSA Auction Letter)