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.
World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders World Series Baseball starring Deion Sanders is a baseball video game for the Sega 32X. North American releases feature Deion Sanders, and Japanese releases feature Hideo Nomo. 野茂 英雄ワールドシリーズベースボール The game features a full MLBPA license, which allows it to have real-life players and teams. There are three game modes: exhibition, full season, and playoff. Unlike its Genesis counterparts, this game had updated rosters for the then-current baseball season. On release, the game was scored a 29 out of 40 by a panel of four reviewers at "Famicom Tsūshin". "Next Generation" reviewed the 32X