LOS ANGELES – Peter O’Malley, president of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1970-1998, will receive “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” decoration from Harry H. Horinouchi, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, in pregame ceremonies at Dodger Stadium on July 8, the Dodgers announced.
The ceremony will mark the official presentation of the decoration, conferred by Emperor Akihito. The conferment of the significant honor to O’Malley is one of the events of “Japan Night” on July 8, the annual celebration hosted by the Dodgers recognizing the Japanese-American community in Los Angeles, its culture and traditions.
“On behalf of the Japanese government, I would like to express sincere appreciation to Mr. Peter O’Malley for his distinguished accomplishments and contributions for positive impacts on U.S.–Japan relations through baseball,” Horinouchi said. “Congratulations!”
“I am grateful to Dodger President Stan Kasten and the organization for permitting Consul General Horinouchi to hold the conferment ceremony in Dodger Stadium,” said O’Malley. “Dodger Stadium is a very special place for me and my family and the memories we have here are all very good. Our family’s involvement with Japan dates to the first Dodger Goodwill Tour there in 1956, when my parents (Kay and Walter), my sister Terry and I traveled with the team for 30 days throughout the country. That memorable experience set the foundation for many friendships that have continued for nearly 60 years.”
“The Dodgers congratulate Peter O’Malley on receiving this prestigious recognition,” said Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten. “It is a fitting tribute to the tireless efforts on the part of Peter and his family to grow baseball internationally in general and in Japan in particular.”
O’Malley has made approximately 85 trips to Japan and developed longtime relationships with baseball officials for decades. His historic 1995 signing of Japanese-born pitcher Hideo Nomo with the Dodgers opened the door for more than 50 players from Japan to follow. O’Malley, who has been at the forefront of international relationships, sent executives, coaches, instructors and medical personnel to Japan, welcomed officials from Japan to Dodger Stadium, and invited professional and amateur teams from Japan to visit Dodger Stadium and train at Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Florida.
The government of Japan established The Order of the Rising Sun in April 1875 and it was the first national decoration awarded. The Order, one of the highest for a civilian not from Japan, with its rays of sunlight from the rising sun, is conferred on individuals in recognition of their notable contributions to the enhancement of bilateral relations. The government noted that O’Malley has “contributed to promoting friendly relations through baseball between Japan and the United States and the development of Japan’s baseball world.”
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Peter O’Malley to be Honored by Japanese Government
In 2003, O’Malley honored the memory of longtime assistant and graduate of Waseda University (Tokyo) Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara by establishing the Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara and Peter O’Malley Sports Management Class at Waseda. Twelve classes were held at Waseda between 2003 and 2009, including lectures by O’Malley, United States President George H.W. Bush, Japan Baseball Hall of Famer and all-time home run king Sadaharu Oh, former MLB Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig and the president of the Japan Olympic Committee, Tsunekazu Takeda.
O’Malley is currently chairman of world-famous Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Florida, the year-round multi-sport training and conference center. Last November, Historic Dodgertown was named a Florida Heritage Landmark.
The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with six World Series championships and 21 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence. The Dodgers are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience at Dodger Stadium, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history, and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world.
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