Dodgers Sign Norihiro Nakamura To Play Third Base

[SoCal Pinstriper]

The Dodgers signed the 31 year old third baseman of the Orix Buffaloes.

Nakamura, 31, was hampered by injuries last season and had 19 homers and a .247 batting average in 105 games. In December 2002, Nakamura agreed to join the New York Mets, then backed out of the deal to remain in Japan.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...ra-japan_x.htm

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Feeling the lure of Dodger blue, third baseman Norihiro Nakamura walked away from a contract that guaranteed him $5 million a season in Japan for nothing more than the chance to make the Dodger roster out of spring training.

"The main thing for me is the challenge of it, to do something that money cannot buy," Nakamura said through an interpreter Thursday after signing a minor league contract with the Dodgers. "I'm going to do my best to make this team."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseba...rts-mlb-dodger

I can honestly say that I do not recall ever seeing another player walk away from a guarenteed deal simply for the opportunity to try out for another team except for Micheal Jordan when he made the switch to baseball.