By Saruwatari Tsuyoshi, Kyoto Shimbun News

December 23, 2012: Kyoto, Japan – Babe Ruth defined it.  Hank Aaron refined it.  Morihiro Nakamura will enshrine it in the LRS.  The league’s all-time home run leader with 248 HR will be thrilling Japanese fans for many more seasons after inking a 4-year contract extension worth $54 million with the Edo Battousai.

Many thought “Homu-Ran” might hold out for a richer deal to become the highest paid player in the league, but he felt it wasn’t helpful.  “The past season really helped influence my decision to sign this extension.  Seeing what an older player like Kenko-san could contribute and seeing how the fans came to love him for his effort made me really appreciate the fans we have here.  I very much wanted to be able to keep playing for them and to bring them more Neo-Tokyo Cups.  It certainly might have been possible to obtain a richer contract, but one man cannot win alone.  I was also very encouraged by the direction the team is taking this past season.  The ownership has demonstrated courage and imagination in recent deals and I think they have a solid plan that will keep this team in contention for many years to come.  Also, my part in this deal is very easy; see ball, hit ball… hard,” he laughed.

Team owner Patrick Hildreth spoke next.  “Obviously we’re very satisfied to have Morihiro back with Edo for what we think will be an historic period of baseball for Kyoto and for Japan.  He’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of player and his value to the club goes well beyond his actions on the field.  We’ve worked hard to get him some help in the lineup and we hope that helps him lift the team as only he can.  Personally, I’d love to see him put together another season like he had in 2008.

“In the final analysis, though, this was about Japan and its baseball legacy.  We all very much wanted to see Morihiro continue to play in Japan, in the LRS.  We feel the LRS brand of baseball is very special and unique and see Morihiro’s presence as a symbol of all that endears us to it.”