It’s September 17, 1996. We’re about to watch (maybe) the final out of a regular-season game between the Dodgers and Rockies.
But it’s more than that: That final out would cement a no-hitter.
But it’s more than that, too! It’d be a no-hitter at Coors Field, the brand-new, thin-air ballpark in Denver, Colorado. You’re not supposed to be able to throw a no-hitter there.
But guess what, it’s more than that, too! This no-hitter would be thrown by Hideo Nomo, a pitcher born, raised, and previously playing professional baseball in Japan. Here in 1996, all of the above is astounding. Before we watch this final out, we need to learn about baseball a mile above sea level. We need to learn about the fascinating history of pro baseball in Japan and its relationship with MLB. And of course, we need to learn about Nomo’s role, alongside his pioneering agent, in changing that relationship forever.
Oh, and if you want more, we filmed an episode extension of this video on Patreon where we dive into the man who brought Nomo (and therefore Ichiro, Ohtani, all our favorites from NPB over to MLB). Check it out here!
