On July 29th, 20205, the Portland Sea Dogs baseball team partnered with Friends of Aomori for a fantastic night of fundraising, celebration, and baseball.
Japan Night was also an opportunity to celebrate the long history between Maine and Japan through the sport of baseball that was introduced to Japan by Gorham, Maine native Horace Wilson in the late nineteenth century. There are many sources that dive into this history, and we encourage you to research them!
As a fundraiser for Friends of Aomori, the Sea Dogs auctioned off Masataka Yoshida’s game-worn Scooby Doo jersey from his rehab appearance with the Sea Dogs on July 6th. (SeaDogs, July 17, 2025). The auction was a great success and raised over $1,000 for Friends and we are very thankful for this donation, the support from game attendees, and for this fantastic collaboration with the Sea Dogs.
Below is a photo of the donation presentation at the final Sea Dogs home game of the season, to Friends of Aomori from the auction of Masataka Yoshida’s (Red Sox dedicated hitter) July 6th, game-worn Scooby-Doo shirt. Pictured, from left to right: Reo Miyake, from the Portland restaurant Aomori (opening this holiday season in East Bayside); Vera King, Bath-Tsugau Sister City Exchange; Lynda McCann-Olson, President, Friends of Aomori; and Chris Cameron, Sea Dogs Vice-President of Communications & Fan Engagement.
Below is a group of enthusiastic supporters of Japan’s love for baseball and Sea Dogs’ generosity towards Friends of Aomori.
We look forward to another Japan Night at the Sea Dogs in the 2026 season, and we hope to see you there!
Friends of Aomori 
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