Don Nomura NPB was no longer bound to their NPB team outside Japan and was free to sign overseas without violating the working agreement. After the 1994 season Nomura assisted star NPB pitcher Hideo Nomo in testing the loophole. After failing to reach a contract agreement with the Kintetsu Buffaloes, Nomo retired from NPB and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995. In 1998 he represented Hideki Irabu, whose contract was sold by the Chiba Lotte Marines to the San Diego Padres. Irabu stated that he would only play for the New York Yankees, and refused to sign with the Padres.
Hideo Fujimoto the Giants defeated the Hawks for the championship for the third year in a row. After his playing career, he coached for the Giants and managed in the Japanese minor leagues, Later, he managed in the industrial leagues. He also worked as the Los Angeles correspondent for "Yomiuri Shimbun". Fujimoto/Nakagami was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976. Hideo Fujimoto Fujimoto was born in Busan, Korea, moving to Japan at age eight. He attended Shimonoseki Shogyo High School and Meiji University. In 1943, he enjoyed one of the greatest seasons ever by a pitcher in Japan. He