BASEBALL

Japanese pitcher Nomo decides to retire

Friday 18th July, 03:12 AM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

8 Comments

spudman at 10:48 AM JST - 18th July

A true pioneer that led the way through talent and hard work. Thanks for everything Hideo.
presto345 at 05:18 PM JST - 18th July

Fine work you delivered, Nomo. You will go down in history. Thanks.
terebiko at 05:41 PM JST - 18th July

He'll be remembered on both sides of the Pacific.

Imagine what kind of record he might have had in the MLB if he had been allowed to leave Japan earlier.
westurn at 07:31 AM JST - 19th July

Next question... what will he do now and where will he live ? He burned some serious bridges when he stormed outta Japan. He hated the whole NPB system and made no bones about preferring to live and work in the USA. I think Nomo's real odyssey is just beginning.
Blue_Tiger at 02:58 PM JST - 19th July

He was awesome when he first came over to the States about fourteen years ago. I always liked him, especially when he was with the Dodgers. When he pitched his last no-hitter with the BoSox, I felt for sure his career would revive, but, alas, it didn't. He was always a classy player, and I think he made more of an impact on the MLB Game than many realize. His pioneering the way for the likes of Ichiro and others will be remembered....
gokai_wo_maneku at 08:30 PM JST - 19th July

Hey, you guys, It's NOMO!!

Only 5 comments?

Nomo was great!!!!

Unintended consequence: turning the Japanese league into a farm league for the US Majors.
westurn at 11:00 PM JST - 19th July

Blue Tiger... lets not get carried away now. Nomo was fun to watch but...

"He was always a classy player, and I think he made more of an impact on the MLB Game than many realize."

For example ? He wasn't the first Japanese player in the majors. His delivery was pretty similar to Valenzuela or Tiant. He was about as personable as a toad. So why all the adoration and hype ??? He was pretty good, not HOF material though. Let it slide at that !
Blue_Tiger at 02:47 PM JST - 21st July

The Hideo Nomo I remember was elected to the All-Star Game three straight years, came in 2nd in strikeouts and wins in each category (second only to Randy Johnson), and in his interviews, he was more about downplaying his own achievements rather than pumping himself up (as "Godzilla" Hideki Matsui does regularly when he's interviewed). So what if he didn't smile or show much emotion? So far, the only one I have ever seen who showed any emotion in an interivewi n the States was Tsuyoshi Shinjo when he was with the Giants and Mets several years back.

Nomo deserves to be considered for the hall: he had a great career, especially in the first two-thirds of his timei n the states....