Nomo retires; Japanese star pitched two no-hitters

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.

"Hideo Nomo was a trailblazer," said Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda, who managed the Dodgers in 1995. "He represented himself and his country to the highest degree of class, dignity and character. I am so proud of all he did for Japanese players."

Out of the majors since 2005, Nomo 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.

Hideo Nomo won the NL Rookie of the Year with the Dodgers in 1995. (Getty Images)

"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?"

A star in Japan before he signed with the Dodgers, Nomo made an immediate impact in the majors. He led the NL in strikeouts in 1995 and went 13-6 with a 2.54 ERA.

Nomo also created a wave of "Nomo-mania" wherever he pitched. Many fans were curious to see his "tornado" windup, in which he paused with his arms overhead and then twisted his body before throwing.

Opposing hitters weren't so eager to see him. Nomo's forkball took a wicked dip, similar to a split-fingered fastball. He was tough for catchers to handle, too -- with balls often bouncing before the plate, he led the majors with 19 wild pitches as a rookie.

Nomo finished 123-109 with a 4.24 ERA with the Dodgers, New York Mets, Milwaukee, Detroit, Boston, Tampa Bay and Kansas City.

The right-hander's highlights were his two no-hitters.

In 1996 with the Dodgers, he pitched the first no-hitter in the history of Coors Field. He beat the Colorado Rockies at a time when pitchers routinely struggled at the mile-high ballpark.