Why Japanese American Baseball History Matters More Than Ever

Baseball history gets personal, and this one might change how you see the game forever. Author, filmmaker, historian, and former player Kerry Yo Nakagawa reveals the hidden legacy of Japanese American baseball, the family stories that shaped his life, and the lessons every athlete needs to hear right now.

Kerry has spent decades preserving a missing chapter of American sports history, from the Nisei players who were denied access to Major League Baseball to the generations of ballplayers who kept the game alive anyway. He shares how a childhood surrounded by sandlot baseball, a family photo with Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, and a simple moment watching his son’s jersey sparked a lifelong mission to uncover the stories most fans never hear.

You’ll discover:
- Why Japanese American players were forced into their own leagues
- How sandlot baseball built championship habits, double plays, and baseball IQ
- What Japan’s training, discipline, and attention to detail can teach players everywhere
- Why Shohei Ohtani’s bathroom duty says everything about his mindset
- How baseball, football, film, and even Alcatraz all connect in one unforgettable life

Kerry also opens up about his work in film and television, including Rocky II, Chuck Norris projects, and his close relationship with Pat Morita, the beloved Mr. Miyagi. Along the way, he talks about the power of pride, discipline, and doing every job like it matters - whether you’re cleaning a toilet, turning a double play, or chasing a dream.

If you love baseball, history, or stories about people who turned adversity into legacy, this episode belongs on your playlist. It is funny, surprising, deeply human, and packed with the kind of insight that makes you appreciate the game in a whole new way.

Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀
vidiq.com/TheSLIDEPodcast

0:00 Meet the Field Reporters
0:53 Off-Season Grind and Goals
2:22 New Team and Middle School Ball
4:16 Celebrating the Big Plays
5:52 Golf Season and Tournament Recaps
8:53 The Field of Dreams Glow Event
12:15 Five Generations of Baseball
46:12 From Film Sets to the Field