January 18, 2009, Nagoya, Japan, Celebration of Masahiro Yamamoto’s 200th career victory for the professional Chunichi Dragons. (L-R): Masahiro Yamamoto; Acey Kohrogi (interpreter), Peter O’Malley (speaking at microphone). With the assistance of Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara and O’Malley, Yamamoto turned his pitching fortunes around at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida and is a Japan Baseball Hall of Famer.
Biography
Masahiro Yamamoto
Masahiro Yamamoto of Japan knows if it weren’t for Peter O’Malley and Peter’s assistant Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara, his career might have been quite short. Of course, now Yamamoto is known for pitching professionally until he was 50 years old! In 2022, he was inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame. But, at the time, in 1988 when he came to Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida as a member of the Chunichi Dragons he was trying to find his way. He was just 22 years old and Chunichi Manager Senichi Hoshino asked Peter if he could leave the struggling pitcher to learn from Ikuhara and have him play for the Single-A Vero Beach Dodgers. A request that Peter and Ikuhara were happy to accommodate. The Dragons were in the midst of training at Dodgertown from February 16-March 5. Ikuhara took a discouraged Yamamoto, who was on the verge of being released, under his wing. Ikuhara told him, “Never give up. If you do, that’s the end.” Ikuhara worked patiently and tirelessly with him and on his pitching mechanics. When Ikuhara encouraged Yamamoto to develop a new pitch – a screwball – a little magic came to life.
January 18, 2009, Nagoya, Japan, Masahiro Yamamoto, star pitcher of the professional Chunichi Dragons, stands on the stage with an image of his friend and mentor Japan Baseball Hall of Famer Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara in the background. The party celebrates Yamamoto’s 200th career victory in 2008. Yamamoto, a 2022 Japan Baseball Hall of Famer, invited Peter O’Malley to the grand party.
The dividends paid off quickly as Yamamoto went 13-7 with a 2.00 ERA in 148 2/3 innings for Vero Beach, before returning to Japan and rejoining Chunichi in August. Upon his return, Yamamoto went 5-0 in 8 games pitched, helping the Dragons to win the 1988 Central League Championship. Yamamoto’s about-face was the impetus for him to win 219 games for Chunichi, including a 2006 no-hitter, as he became Japan’s oldest pitcher in NPB to throw one. In 2008, Yamamoto won his 200th game, thus becoming Japan’s oldest 200-game winner. As a tribute to mentor and friend Ikuhara, who passed away in 1992, when Yamamoto reached 200 victories he placed the game ball in front of Ike’s picture at his home. On January 18, 2009, Peter traveled to Nagoya, Japan to celebrate Yamamoto’s 200-victory accomplishment at a special party.
Masahiro Yamamoto, a 2022 Japan Baseball Hall of Fame left-hand pitcher, returned to Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida in 2016 to film the prestigious nationwide show “Another Sky” in Japan. Yamamoto selected Dodgertown because of the significant impact on turning his career in the right direction. He holds a photo of his friend and mentor Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara.
February 24, 2016, retired professional Chunichi Dragons pitching legend Masahiro Yamamoto takes the field at Holman Stadium. Yamamoto returned to Historic Dodgertown to film Japan’s prestigious nationwide show “Another Sky”. Yamamoto returned to Dodgertown where he played for the Vero Beach Dodgers of the Single-A Florida State League in 1988 and found success.
In 2016, Yamamoto selected Dodgertown to film Japan’s prestigious nationwide show, “Another Sky”. The format of the Nippon TV Network program features an interview at the individual’s most memorable place in the world and Yamamoto selected Historic Dodgertown because it turned his baseball career around in 1988. Yamamoto, who was welcomed back with open arms, always gives credit to Peter and Ikuhara for the role they played in launching his career. Yamamoto frequently journeyed from Japan to Los Angeles to pay respects at Ikuhara’s gravesite.