Don Katsuaki Nomura is a sports agent who primarily represents Japanese baseball players.
17 Facts About Don Nomura
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Don Nomura is best known for convincing Nippon Professional Baseball players Hideo Nomo and Alfonso Soriano to retire from the league to sign with Major League Baseball in the 1990s, as well as negotiating for Hideki Irabu to be sent to the New York Yankees like he requested instead of the San Diego Padres, which led to the NPB dissolving the reserve clause and paved the way for Japanese Baseball players playing in the MLB.
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Don Nomura's mother left the family when Don was six, leaving his father to care for him and his younger brother Kenneth.
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Don Nomura attended St Mary's International School, a private, English-speaking Catholic school in Tokyo, until he was kicked out for fighting at the age of 16.
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Don Nomura's decision was influenced by a NPB restriction that allowed only two foreign players per team at the time.
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Don Nomura then assumed the name Katsuaki Ito until his stepfather adopted him that same year, at which time he took the name Don Katsuki Nomura.
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Don Nomura began playing on a minor league team affiliated with the Yakult Swallows the next year as a utility infielder.
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Don Nomura traveled to Hawaii to pick up his father's ashes and returned them to Japan.
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In December 1981, Don Nomura moved to Los Angeles with his new wife.
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Don Nomura then converted $1,000 to $41,000 while playing baccarat in Las Vegas.
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Don Nomura then negotiated with the Seattle Mariners and later earned Suzuki a million-dollar signing bonus.
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In 1992, Don Nomura sold the Spurs to a group in San Bernardino.
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Don Nomura founded the Los Angeles-based company KDN Sports, Inc and became a full-time sports agent.
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In 1994 Don Nomura discovered a loophole in the NPB player contract and working agreement between MLB and NPB.
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In 1998, the NPB contract loophole was tested again when Don Nomura advised Hiroshima Carp player Alfonso Soriano of the Dominican Republic who wished to move to MLB.
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The Carp gave up pursuing legal action, and the suit with Don Nomura was later settled.
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Don Nomura attended Zama High School and afterwards played under Coach Scott Thompson.