ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 11: Hideo Nomo #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and National League All-Stars pitches against the American League All-Stars during Major League Baseball All-Star game July 11, 1995 at The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas. The National League won the game 3-3. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 11: Hideo Nomo #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and National League All-Stars pitches against the American League All-Stars during Major League Baseball All-Star game July 11, 1995 at The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas. The National League won the game 3-3. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Topps Releasing Rare Autographed Hideo Nomo Card

Originally posted on Dodger Blue | By Matt Borelli | Last updated Dec 1, 2025 12:10 PM ET

The 2025 Topps Chrome Update Series is set to be released on Wednesday, Dec. 10, which includes the first licensed certified autographed Hideo Nomo card in 20 years.

Nomo last had licensed certified autographs in a variety of 2005 playoff products. Topps previously had not released an autographed Nomo card.

Nomo’s upcoming cards will feature him in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform and are exclusive to hobby boxes. The base issue (50), orange refractors (25), black refractors (10), red refractors (5), superfractor (one) and the four Printing Plates (one) will have limited quantities.

Given his popularity, it is expected that Nomo’s new autographed cards will draw significant interest on secondary markets. Most of his previously autographed cards rarely go up for sale.

JUST IN: We’re excited to announce that Hideo Nomo has signed his first official autograph cards in 20 years!

Look for his first MLB autographs in 2025 Topps Chrome Update Series. pic.twitter.com/9KSZXmz1ke

— Topps (@Topps) November 29, 2025

Nomo was the first Japanese player to permanently join the Majors. In 1995, his first year with the Dodgers, Nomo started the All-Star Game for the National League and went on to earn Rookie of the Year honors.

Over a 12-year Major League career, Nomo was 123-109 with a 4.24 ERA and 1,918 strikeouts. Along with pitching for the Dodgers, he spent time with the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals.

Nomo’s success in the Majors helped pave the way for other Japanese natives such as, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka, among others.

Hideo Nomo’s post-playing career

Nomo retired as a player in 2008 and went on to join the San Diego Padres as an advisor for baseball operations, where he assists the club with player development.

This article first appeared on Dodger Blue and was syndicated with permission.

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