Post by Fish Troll on Jul 17, 2008 20:00:09 GMT -5
NEW YORK (AP) -- Hideo Nomo, who pitched a pair of no-hitters and led a rush of Japanese players to the major leagues, is finished.
Nomo announced his retirement Thursday, agent Don Nomura said. Once known for a deceptive delivery and a devastating forkball, the 39-year-old Nomo was released by the Kansas City Royals in late April.
Nomo's 123 wins are the most in the majors by a Japanese pitcher. He was the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is one of only four pitchers to throw no-hitters in the AL and NL.
Out of the majors since 2005, he made a comeback this year and earned a spot in the Royals bullpen. But slowed by an injury late in spring training, Nomo had an 18.69 ERA in three relief appearances in which he gave up 10 hits, including three home runs, in 4 1/3 innings.
Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore said the Royals knew the odds were against Nomo when they signed him.
"But he still had the motivation to pitch, so we were more than willing to give him an opportunity," Moore said. "If he hadn't hurt his groin, who knows what he might have accomplished with us this year?"
Nomo announced his retirement Thursday, agent Don Nomura said. Once known for a deceptive delivery and a devastating forkball, the 39-year-old Nomo was released by the Kansas City Royals in late April.
Nomo's 123 wins are the most in the majors by a Japanese pitcher. He was the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is one of only four pitchers to throw no-hitters in the AL and NL.
Out of the majors since 2005, he made a comeback this year and earned a spot in the Royals bullpen. But slowed by an injury late in spring training, Nomo had an 18.69 ERA in three relief appearances in which he gave up 10 hits, including three home runs, in 4 1/3 innings.
Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore said the Royals knew the odds were against Nomo when they signed him.
"But he still had the motivation to pitch, so we were more than willing to give him an opportunity," Moore said. "If he hadn't hurt his groin, who knows what he might have accomplished with us this year?"
sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/07/17/nomo.retirement.ap/index.html
