First Home Run Baseball hit by Dodger pitcher Hideo Nomo, April 28, 1998

Although known for his exceptional pitching, Japan Baseball Hall of Famer Hideo Nomo also could swing the bat. In his major league career, he managed to hit four home runs and had a .134 career batting average. Nomo hit his first home run on April 28, 1998 off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jose Mercedes in the 7th inning of a 6-3 Nomo win for the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. This is the ball that Nomo hit for his initial home run. It is hand-lettered with “First Home Run” and Nomo presented the ball as a gift to Dodger Chairman of the Board Peter O’Malley.