THE FiLM
Diamond Diplomacy explores 150+ years of shared history between the United States and Japan through our shared love of baseball. Anchored by the stories of two former players—Japan’s Masanori “Mashi” Murakami and the USA’s Warren Cromartie—the film traces the evolution of a complex international relationship, touching on racism, diplomacy, and the unifying power of sports.
Baseball first arrived in Japan in 1872, introduced by Civil War veteran Horace Wilson during the Meiji period of Westernization. Over the decades, the game became a profound bridge between the nations, against the backdrop of racism, war, the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans, and global trade conflicts.
In 1934, Babe Ruth captivated Japanese audiences during a high-profile goodwill tour, but these efforts couldn’t prevent the war that followed. During World War II, all things American were banned in Japan, except for baseball. Not wanting to lose their beloved baseball they just banned all English terms. Just a few years later, Lefty O’Doul—unofficial ambassador of the sport—was recruited by General Douglas MacArthur to lead the San Francisco Seals on a second goodwill tour in 1949, boosting morale of the Japanese people and helping to rekindle diplomatic and cultural ties.
The film follows Murakami and Cromartie as they participate in commemorative games, historical exhibitions, youth tournaments, and clinics—moments that connect past to present. Archival footage and photographs bring the story to life, including never-before-seen home movies from the 1949 Seals tour. Additional visual assets—baseball cards, illustrations, Japanese woodblock prints—combine with historically resonant music to create a rich cultural tapestry.
Diamond Diplomacy also highlights unexpected figures of international influence, such as Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and O’Doul, who each played roles in softening tensions surrounding WWII. Their stories help trace the evolution of a player exchange that continues today, with the stories of Hideo Nomo, Ichiro Suzuki, and Shohei Ohtani, strengthening ties between the two nations.
More than just a sports documentary, Diamond Diplomacy is a moving reflection on friendship, resilience, and the power of a game to build bridges in a divided world.