Photo: Terry Cannon admires the baseball paintings of Ben Sakoguchi (The Baseball Reliquary)
FRESNO, CA. – (August 3, 2020) The Nisei Baseball Research Project (NBRP) joins the rest of the baseball community in expressing our sadness with the passing of Terry Cannon, founder of the Baseball Reliquary—The People’s Baseball Hall of Fame.
Terry was a friend of the NBRP and passionate supporter of keeping the legacy of Japanese American Baseball alive. He was instrumental in placing Kenichi Zenimura on the ballot for the Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals in 2006. Zenimura was among the top vote recipients and was inducted along with Josh Gibson and Fernando Valenzuela. That same day, Terry honored NBRP founder Kerry Yo Nakagawa with the Tony Salin Award, an honor that recognizes individuals for their commitment to the preservation of baseball history.
Photo: Tets Furukawa, Kenso Zenimura, and Kerry Yo Nakagawa accept the Shrine of the Eternals plaque
for Kenichi Zenimura, 2006 (The Rafu Shimpo)
In 2013, Terry invited the NBRP to participate in the symposium titled, “The Neighborhoods of Baseball,” an event that explored and celebrated the important role that amateur, semi-professional, and professional baseball had in the history and development of the Mexican American, Japanese American, and African American communities of Southern California.
And it is with a heavy heart to share that our latest plans to collaborate with Terry never materialized due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the outbreak, we were in discussion with Terry to honor the Negro Leagues Centennial with a special event dedicated to sharing the unique history of Negro Leaguers in Japan. We are hopeful that this event will occur in the near future, and when it does Terry will be with us in spirit.
Our hearts go out to his wife Mary and all those who loved Terry. His spirit will live on in the hearts of all those he touched, and especially those who shared his love for baseball and humanity.
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Related links:
- 2006 Shrine of the Eternals Induction Flyer
- They Led by being, Rafu Shimpo, July 29, 2006
- In Praise of Otherness: Pioneer Days at the Baseball Reliquary’s Induction Ceremony, Baseball Think Factory, August 04, 2006
- 2013 The Neighborhoods of Baseball Symposium Flyer