NEWS RELEASE
Peter O’Malley, Chairman of Historic Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida and president of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1970-1998, received the high honor of “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” from the Government of Japan, conferred by Emperor Akihito. Conferment ceremonies for the Spring 2015 Decorations will be held in Los Angeles in conjunction with Harry H. Horinouchi, Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, it was announced today.
The Government of Japan established The Order of the Rising Sun on April 10, 1875 and was the first national decoration awarded. The Order, highest for a citizen not from Japan, with its rays of sunlight from the rising sun is awarded to those who have “distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment.”
The award is in recognition of the contributions O’Malley has made for 60 years to promoting friendly relations through baseball between Japan and the United States and the development of Japan’s baseball world.
O’Malley, with approximately 85 trips to Japan, is at the forefront of fostering international relationships, including numerous cultural exchanges of coaches and executives; and invitations for professional and amateur teams from Japan to visit Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles and train at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida. In 1995, O’Malley’s Dodgers signed pitcher Hideo Nomo, the first player from Japan in 30 years to play Major League Baseball, opening the door for more than 50 players to follow.
In fall 1956, O’Malley made his first trip to Japan along with his parents, Kay and Walter, and his sister, Terry, accompanying the National League Champion Brooklyn Dodgers for their first Goodwill Tour to Japan, with a 19-game schedule throughout the country.
“I am extremely humbled and grateful for this honor,” said O’Malley. “The 1956 trip introduced me to the people of Japan and they made a lasting impact on me. I saw first-hand fan enthusiasm throughout the country, their appreciation of baseball and warm welcome to the Dodger team. Consequently, I was fortunate to establish lifetime friendships through the common language of baseball and I’ve enjoyed bringing people together from the two countries.”
In 1966 and 1993, the Dodgers made two more goodwill trips to Japan. The Tokyo Yomiuri Giants visited Dodgertown five times, followed by the Chunichi Dragons. In 1994, Waseda University of Tokyo was the first amateur team to be invited to train at Dodgertown and the first to train alongside the Dodgers.
In 2003, O’Malley established the Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara and Peter O’Malley Memorial Sports Management Class at Waseda University and held the first of 12 lectures featuring internationally-renowned speakers.
Today, O’Malley chairs Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Florida, preserving and enhancing the world-famous, year-round, premier multi-sport training and conference center, where Nomo is one of the founding partners.
Indian River Guardian 
Peter O’ Malley carries on the great legacy of his dad Walter. Walter “cracked” open the bigotry and race barriers in the 1940’s by standing by the great Jackie Robinson in his quest to be a major league baseball player. Peter continues this quest opening doors through out the world to give all an opportunity to play baseball. His influence in Japan is also evident in other countries through his efforts at Dodger Town here in Vero Beach. Before the end of the year, the Chapel of Four Chaplains will also honor Peter O’Malley and Bump Holman for their wonderful work.
I don’t mean to nit-pick but it was Branch Rickey who signed Jackie Robinson to a contract with the Dodgers. Jackie played one year with the Dodgers’ AAA farn team and then came up to the big club.