Kenjiro Nomura (baseball)

2.1. Youth and School Days

Nomura was born on September 19, 1966, in Saiki, Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. He began playing baseball in the first grade of elementary school. While some online sources suggest he played as a pitcher from elementary school through high school, Nomura himself later clarified in a 2022 interview with 47NEWS that this was a misunderstanding, possibly confusing him with his younger brother, Akihiko Nomura, who was a pitcher. Kenjiro stated that he had always played as a shortstop since he started baseball. He captained his teams in both elementary and junior high school. His uncle, Takashi Yagi, was a former professional baseball player who played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, which led Nomura to visit Hiroshima's training camps annually from his elementary school days. He was constantly encouraged to aim higher than just being the best in his prefecture or city, fostering a strong sense of ambition.

Upon entering Oita Prefectural Saiki Tsurugijo High School, Nomura transitioned from right-handed hitting to switch-hitting to leverage his speed. Despite his efforts, his team did not qualify for the spring or summer national tournaments during his three years there, with his senior year ending in the semifinals of the Oita prefectural tournament. His high school teammate was Shigeki Wakabayashi.

Nomura then enrolled at Komazawa University, where he was scouted by then-coach Makoto Ota, who recognized his talent and encouraged him to become a hitter, specifically an outfielder. Despite the strict coaching environment, Nomura played as a left fielder or right fielder in his first year and participated in league games. By his second year, he became the regular center fielder and was selected for the Best Nine award for the first time in the autumn league of that year. In the spring league of his third year, he set a new season record for stolen bases in the Tohto University Baseball League with 18, surpassing the previous record of 17 held by Daijiro Oishi. He was also selected for the Best Nine for the second consecutive season. During his third year, he was chosen for the US-Japan Collegiate Baseball Championship and the Asian Baseball Championship, which solidified his aspirations to become a professional player. In the autumn league, he also played as a second baseman and was recognized with a Best Nine award for that position.

In his fourth year, Nomura served as team captain and was again selected for the US-Japan Collegiate Baseball Championship. He played a pivotal role in Komazawa University's championship victory in the spring league, setting a new Tohto University Baseball League career stolen base record with 52, the first time in 22 years. For this achievement, he received unanimous votes for the Most Valuable Player and Best Nine awards. Notable teammates at Komazawa University included Hiroshi Shintani (two years his senior), Tsutomu Tamura (one year his senior), Hideyuki Suzuki (same year), Nozomu Suzuki (one year his junior), Koichi Sekikawa (two years his junior), and Jun Takeshita and Kenichi Wakatabe (three years his junior).

In 1988, Nomura was one of three university players, alongside Tsuyoshi Omori of Keio University and Kenji Tomoshino of Chuo University (who later became his professional teammate), selected to represent Japan in baseball at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. In the Olympics, he was primarily used as a pinch-hitter due to the strong lineup of regular players. He appeared in three games, including the final, recording two hits in nine at-bats. In the final match against the United States, he entered as a pinch-hitter and hit a single to right field as a right-handed batter but was ultimately shut down by pitcher Jim Abbott in a crucial, potential game-tying situation.

His collegiate career statistics include 89 games played, 103 hits in 325 at-bats, a batting average of .317, 10 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 52 stolen bases. He also received the Best Nine award four times. He participated in the All-Japan University Baseball Championship twice (1987, 1988) and the Meiji Jingu Baseball Tournament twice (1985, 1986), where his team finished as runner-up in 1986. Nomura was highly regarded as one of the best field players in university baseball, often referred to as the "second Hiroshi Ishige", and was expected to be a highly contested pick in the 1988 NPB draft.

3.1. Draft and Debut

In the 1988 NPB draft, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp selected Nomura as their sole first-round pick. Although the Carp had also considered Kenjiro Kawasaki from his home prefecture as a top prospect, Nomura was ultimately chosen due to strong recommendations from scouts. He signed an entry contract with a signing bonus of 60.00 M JPY and an annual salary of 6.00 M JPY. He was assigned the uniform number "7".

Nomura made his professional debut on April 9, 1989, as a pinch-runner in a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium. On May 4 of the same year, in a game against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, he recorded his first career hit and RBI with a timely single to center field off Shigeki Nakamoto in the bottom of the sixth inning. In his rookie season, he primarily played as a left fielder, a position he had experience with in college. The Rookie of the Year award that season went to his college friend and Olympic teammate, Kenji Tomoshino.

3.2. Key Achievements and Awards

Nomura's career was decorated with numerous individual titles and awards, showcasing his all-around excellence. He won the Stolen Base Champion title three times (1990, 1991, 1994) and the Most Hits title three times (1991, 1994, 1995), with the latter becoming an official title from 1994. He was selected for the Best Nine Award three times (1991, 1995, 1996) and received the Mitsui Golden Glove Award once (1995). He was also a two-time recipient of the JCB/MEP Award (1994, 1995) and the IBM Player of the Year (1995). He was an 8-time NPB All-Star (1990, 1991, 1993-1998). In 2005, he received the Central League Chairman's Special Award and the Hiroshima Prefectural Prize of Honour, following his 2000-hit milestone. He was also honored with the Saiki City Citizen's Honor Award on March 15, 1996.

His most notable achievement came in 1995 when he accomplished the rare "Triple Three" (Triple Crown (baseball)_{Triple Three}^English), batting .315 with 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases. He was the sixth player in NPB history to achieve this feat. His .3145 batting average was the third highest in the league, just .0005 points behind Robert Rose's .3150, and his 32 home runs were second only to his teammate Tomoaki Kanemoto.

3.3. Player Characteristics

Nomura's playing style was defined by a rare combination of speed, power, and defensive skill, making him a formidable presence on both offense and defense throughout his career.

3.3.3. Fielding

Nomura's defensive journey saw him transition from pitcher in elementary and high school to outfielder in college, and then to infielder in his second professional year. He emphasized cooperative play, particularly practicing extensively with Kozo Shoda in his rookie season. He maintained constant 360-degree awareness on the field, especially given the unpredictable bounces on the dirt infield of the old Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, always focusing on maintaining composure and getting low to field the ball properly. Recognizing that his arm strength was not his strongest asset, he compensated by improving his dashes and overall positioning.

Despite not always being perceived as an elite defender, Nomura consistently recorded high Range Factor values in the early 1990s (1992, 1994, 1995), demonstrating his high capability to convert batted balls into outs. He was highly particular about his glove, using the same one for seven years from his second professional season. His glove type became influential, with younger players like Takamitsu Io, Masato Kai, and Naoto Ishibashi using similar models. Tomoaki Kanemoto, Teruaki Higashide, and Takuya Kimura also referenced Nomura's glove design.

3.4. Injuries and Challenges

Nomura's career, particularly its later stages, was significantly impacted by a series of injuries that affected his performance and led to shifts in his primary playing position.

In 1996, on July 6, he injured his left ankle while attempting to steal second base in a game against the Yakult Swallows, requiring him to be stretchered off the field. Although initially suspected to be a fracture, the team announced it as a sprain, and Nomura continued to play through the pain, taking painkillers. Manager Toshiyuki Mimura considered resting him, but with no strong shortstop backup and Nomura's insistence on playing, he remained in the lineup. However, compensating for his left ankle led to pain in both thighs and calves, and by September, he was unable to sprint at full speed. This injury is believed to have contributed to the team's sharp decline in performance, allowing the Giants to make a "Make Drama" comeback.

In 1999, he suffered a hip injury that caused him to miss many games starting in May. This led to him increasingly starting at third base or second base. Although he returned to shortstop in August, this marked the beginning of a period plagued by recurring injuries.

In 2000, following Tomoaki Kanemoto's transfer to the Giants, Nomura attempted to fill the void at third base during spring training. However, on April 8, in a game against the Hanshin Tigers, he suffered a left hamstring strain (later confirmed as a muscle tear) while running to first base, sidelining him for three weeks. Despite returning to the first team on May 3, his condition was severe. A detailed examination on July 24 revealed that the muscle strength in his left leg had fallen to about half that of his right leg, leading to his first-ever removal from the active roster and missing the latter half of the season. He traveled to Pittsburgh, United States, for rehabilitation alongside fellow injured teammates Tomoaki Kanemoto and Koichi Ogata. This season marked his career-low batting average of .240, with 2 home runs and 1 stolen base.

By 2001, with Teruaki Higashide establishing himself at shortstop and Takahiro Arai at third base, Nomura transitioned to second base, competing with Takuya Kimura for the starting role. An injury to his left thigh during defensive practice on February 8 limited his open-season appearances to just two games, and he missed the opening day for the first time in his career. However, with Koichi Ogata's injury shifting Arai to right field, Nomura regained the starting third base position from May 9.

In late April 2002, he injured his right thigh, leading to about a month in the minor leagues. In the latter half of the season, he was primarily used as a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement, and his games played dropped below 100, with his batting average falling to .211. Despite his struggles, he actively advised his shortstop rival, Higashide, on defensive techniques.

In 2003, on March 29, he suffered a left internal oblique muscle strain during a defensive play against the Yakult Swallows, resulting in a three-week recovery period and his removal from the active roster on April 2. Towards the end of the season, a right thigh injury further prolonged his absence. In the offseason, he renegotiated his contract with a 33% reduction, falling to 100.00 M JPY, exceeding the NPB agreement's limit. Notably, in July of that year, when Koji Yamamoto's continuation as manager was confirmed, owner Hajime Matsuda explicitly stated Nomura as the next managerial candidate.

In January 2004, Nomura trained independently in Arizona, United States, with Hiroki Kuroda, focusing on strengthening his inner muscles and improving hip flexibility to prevent injuries. However, he continued to be plagued by injuries that year, including a right knee injury sustained on June 19 while fielding a ground ball at third base against the Yakult Swallows, which again led to his removal from the active roster. He renewed his contract at the same salary at the end of the year.

3.5. Retirement

In 2005, Nomura began experimenting with playing first base to cope with age-related decline and reduce defensive burden, even serving as a catcher in a practice game during spring training. Public anticipation for his 2,000th career hit grew from January. By May, countdown boards were set up in six locations in his hometown of Saiki, Oita, and at Sogo Hiroshima Store. In June, Hiroshima Gas Information Plaza hosted a photo exhibition tracing his career. For the six home games starting June 21, a 250-inch outdoor screen was set up at Saiki's Otemae Park for public viewing.

On June 23, 2005, in a game against the Yakult Swallows at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, Nomura achieved his 2,000th career hit off Ryo Kawashima in the bottom of the fourth inning. He became the 33rd player in NPB history and the first from the Tohto University Baseball League to reach this milestone. In recognition, he received the Hiroshima Prefectural Prize of Honour, and Hiroshima Electric Railway issued commemorative Paseo Cards.

After reaching the milestone, he was primarily used as a pinch-hitter. On September 16, he announced his retirement from active play at the end of the season. His final professional game was on October 12, the last game of the season, against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. Posters with his uniform number "7" were distributed to the full stadium. In his retirement game, he started as the lead-off hitter and shortstop but later shifted to center field, a position he played in college. In his retirement ceremony speech, he famously told the children in attendance, "Baseball is a good thing. Baseball is fun!"

The team offered to retire his number "7", but Nomura declined, stating that the number should remain available until a player worthy of it emerged. As a result, the number "7" was temporarily retired until Shota Dobayashi inherited it in 2013. Furthermore, team executives had already indicated their intention to appoint Nomura as manager for the new MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima, which opened in 2009.

4.1. Appointment and Team Management

In 2010, Kenjiro Nomura was appointed manager of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, a team that had languished in B-class (lower half of the standings) for 11 consecutive years. Despite having no prior experience as a manager or coach at the professional level, his salary significantly surpassed that of his predecessor, Marty Brown (400.00 K USD), indicating the high expectations placed upon him. At his inaugural press conference, Nomura declared, "We will aim for the championship. I will not allow players to say they are aiming for A-class." He further stated in a lecture at a Hiroshima hospital, "If we win the championship, I intend to say, 'We just did what was ordinary.'"

Nomura's initial approach to team management involved fixing core players who had underperformed in previous years, such as Eishin Sohgogi and Jun Hirose, and integrating promising players like Soichiro Amagaya who excelled in open-season games. He also pushed for the acquisition of Justin Huber, whom he had scouted and admired during his coaching training in the United States, despite opposition from US-based scouts. While Sohgogi and Hirose achieved career-best performances under his guidance, Amagaya and Huber, who was expected to provide power, did not meet expectations. In his first year, the team's starting lineup saw as many as 95 different patterns, indicating a lack of fixed batting order throughout the regular season.

4.2. Coaching Philosophy and Strategy

Nomura championed Hiroshima's traditional "Running Red Helmet Baseball" (走る赤ヘル野球_{Hashiru Akaheru Yakyu}^Japanese) philosophy, which emphasized aggressive base running and fundamental play. He actively placed speedy players in the upper part of the batting order, significantly increasing the team's stolen base count. The team's sacrifice bunts and stolen bases improved dramatically, with 140 team sacrifice bunts (a club record) and 119 team stolen bases (most in 15 years) in 2010. The average runs per game also improved to 4.1, the first time it exceeded 3 runs in five years. Defensively, team errors improved from a league-worst 100 in the previous year to 82, ranking third in the league.

Nomura was known for his proactive communication with foreign players, often speaking English, which he self-taught during his temporary coaching stints with the Kansas City Royals. This open approach fostered trust with players like Brad Eldred, who credited Nomura's advice for his success.

However, Nomura's managerial style also drew criticism, particularly for his "left-right disease" (左右病_Sayūbyō^Japanese) approach, which involved frequently changing the batting order based on the opposing pitcher's throwing arm. This tendency became more pronounced after the introduction of the advance notice of starting pitchers system in 2012. Critics argued that this approach, applied regardless of player form or compatibility with the opposing pitcher, prevented the batting order from stabilizing.

Nomura also expressed a strong aversion to bunts, especially early in games. In a 2022 interview on Atsuya Furuta's program "Furuta no Houteishiki," he stated, "I wonder why teams bunt from the first inning." He found it illogical to give up an out immediately after the lead-off hitter reached base, considering the pitcher's psychology. Nomura suggested his dislike for bunts stemmed from a "trauma" of being a weak hitter who bunted frequently in high school. However, he clarified that as a manager, he would still use sacrifice bunts in certain situations, particularly in the late stages of a game to secure a winning run, acknowledging their strategic value.

4.3. Season-by-Season Performance

Nomura's managerial tenure saw the Hiroshima Carp's performance fluctuate, but ultimately led to a significant turnaround for the struggling franchise.

• 2010 Season:** The team finished 5th in the league with 58 wins and 84 losses, tying for the second-worst record in franchise history. The pitching staff, in particular, suffered a historic collapse, with key players like Colby Lewis (who left unexpectedly), Hiroki Otake, Ryoji Yokoyama, Mike Schultz, and Katsuhiro Nagakawa experiencing injuries. Otake's re-injury after a rushed return drew criticism regarding player health management. The team ERA worsened to 4.80 (from 3.59), the worst in five years, and 5.33 for pitchers excluding Kenta Maeda. Despite Maeda achieving the team's first pitching Triple Crown (wins, ERA, strikeouts), the team's overall pitching decline was the largest in history, with 162 more runs allowed (737 total), 137 more walks/hit-by-pitches (524 total), and 54 more home runs allowed (171 total). Despite the poor record, Nomura showed determination for the next season, promising rigorous training for the pitching staff during autumn camp. In December, he was listed as a candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Japan.

• 2011 Season:** The team contended for an A-class spot until early September but then faltered, finishing 5th again. They suffered a 10-game losing streak in the interleague play, setting a record for 50 consecutive scoreless innings during that period. On June 26, in a game against the Chunichi Dragons, Nomura was ejected for physically confronting umpires over a ground ball call, receiving a two-game suspension from Commissioner Ryozo Kato. Shinji Koh served as acting manager during his absence.

• 2012 Season:** The Carp reached the A-class (3rd place) at the halfway point for the first time in 15 years since 1997, partly due to the Hanshin Tigers' slump. However, a September slump, including an 8-game losing streak and a 6-17-1 record, caused them to fall out of contention for third place, ultimately finishing 4th and extending their B-class streak to 15 consecutive years.

• 2013 Season:** Nomura continued as manager and, despite a fourth consecutive losing season, led the team to its first A-class finish (3rd place) in 16 years since 1997. This marked the Carp's first-ever appearance in the Climax Series. They defeated the Hanshin Tigers in the First Stage but were eliminated by the Yomiuri Giants in the Final Stage.

• 2014 Season:** For the second consecutive year, the Carp were in contention for the championship with the Giants and Tigers. Although the Giants clinched the pennant on September 26 after Hiroshima lost to Hanshin, the Carp secured their second consecutive Climax Series berth. They battled for second place with the Tigers but ultimately finished 3rd after losing their final regular-season game to the Giants on October 6. The 74 wins recorded this season were the second-highest in the team's history.

4.4. Resignation

On October 8, 2014, following the 2014 season, Kenjiro Nomura submitted his resignation as manager to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp organization, which was accepted. He concluded his managerial career by leading the team through the Climax Series that year.

8.1. Player Statistics

8.2. Managerial Statistics

Kenjiro Nomura's managerial record with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

; Regular Season

• In 2011, Nomura served a two-game suspension (June 28 and June 29 vs. Hanshin Tigers, 1 win, 1 loss), which is not included in his total record. Shinji Koh served as acting manager during this period.

; Postseason

9.1. Titles and Awards

• Stolen Base Champion: 3 times (1990, 1991, 1994)
• Most Hits: 3 times (1991, 1994, 1995)
• Best Nine Award: 3 times (1991, 1995, 1996)
• Mitsui Golden Glove Award: 1 time (1995)
• Japan Series Outstanding Player Award: 1 time (1991)
• Monthly MVP: 2 times (April 1993, May 1995)
• Outstanding JCB/MEP Award: 2 times (1994, 1995)
• JA Zen-Noh Go-Go Award: 1 time (Good Base Running Award: April 2004)
• IBM Player of the Year Award: 1 time (1995)
• Central League Chairman's Special Award: 1 time (2005)
• Saiki City Citizen's Honor Award (March 15, 1996)
• Hiroshima Prefectural Prize of Honour (2005)
• Silver Medal at 1988 Seoul Olympics (Team)
• Silver Medal at 1999 Asian Baseball Championship (Team)

9.2. Milestone Records

; Firsts

• First appearance: April 9, 1989, vs. Hanshin Tigers (Hiroshima Municipal Stadium), as a pinch-runner for Rod Allen in the 7th inning.
• First stolen base: April 12, 1989, vs. Yokohama Taiyo Whales (Yokohama Stadium), stealing second base in the 7th inning (pitcher: Mitsunori Kakehata, catcher: Kazumasa Ichikawa).
• First start: May 4, 1989, vs. Yakult Swallows (Hiroshima Municipal Stadium), starting as 7th batter, left fielder.
• First hit and RBI: May 4, 1989, vs. Yakult Swallows (Hiroshima Municipal Stadium), a timely single to center field off Shigeki Nakamoto in the 6th inning.
• First home run: April 15, 1990, vs. Yomiuri Giants (Hiroshima Municipal Stadium), a solo home run to right field off Kazutomo Miyamoto in the 3rd inning.

; Milestones

• 1,000 hits: September 22, 1995, vs. Yokohama BayStars (Yokohama Stadium), a two-run home run to right field off Denny Tomori in the 5th inning. (181st player in history; achieved in 857 games, 9th fastest all-time)
• 100 home runs: May 28, 1996, vs. Chunichi Dragons (Nagoya Stadium), a solo home run to right field off Masa Yamamoto in the 8th inning. (187th player in history)
• 1,000 games played: April 16, 1997, vs. Yomiuri Giants (Hiroshima Municipal Stadium), starting as 1st batter, shortstop. (340th player in history)
• 1,500 hits: May 19, 1999, vs. Hanshin Tigers (Yonago Municipal Stadium), a single to left field off Kei Igawa in the 5th inning. (77th player in history; achieved in 1,289 games, 5th fastest all-time)
• 1,500 games played: August 26, 2001, vs. Hanshin Tigers (Hanshin Koshien Stadium), starting as 6th batter, third baseman. (133rd player in history)
• 150 home runs: October 6, 2001, vs. Chunichi Dragons (Hiroshima Municipal Stadium), a solo home run to center field off Takashi Ogasawara in the 4th inning. (119th player in history)
• 300 doubles: April 1, 2005, vs. Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo Dome), a double to right-center field off Hiroshi Sato in the 9th inning. (42nd player in history)
• 2,000 hits: June 23, 2005, vs. Yakult Swallows (Hiroshima Municipal Stadium), a single to left field off Ryo Kawashima in the 4th inning. (33rd player in history)
• 250 stolen bases: July 1, 2005, vs. Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo Dome), stealing second base in the 8th inning (pitcher: Hisanori Takahashi, catcher: Shinnosuke Abe). (37th player in history)

; Other Records

• Triple Three: 1 time (1995)
• Season with 150+ hits: 7 times (1991, 1992, 1994-1998) - tied for 4th all-time.
• 5 consecutive seasons with 150+ hits (1994-1998) - tied for 5th all-time.
• 4 consecutive seasons with most infield hits in the league (1991-1994).
• Career lead-off home runs: 21 (10th all-time).
• Career first-pitch lead-off home runs: 7 (1st all-time).
• Season first-pitch lead-off home runs: 3 (1990) (2nd all-time).
• 2 consecutive games with lead-off home runs (August 21-22, 1997).
• 3 sacrifice flies in a single game (June 30, 1996) - Japanese record.
• 3 consecutive games with triples (April 8-11, 1990).
• 20 consecutive games with a hit (August 3-25, 1994).
• 10 consecutive games with a run scored (May 13-26, 1995).
• All-Star Game appearances: 8 times (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998).

; Uniform Numbers

• 7 (1989-2005)
• 77 (2010-2014)