Hideo Nomo retires
BASEBALL
The Japanese pitcher broke ground in two stints with the Dodgers.
Hideo Nomo, who opened doors for Japanese players to come to the major leagues with his groundbreaking move to the Dodgers in 1995, announced his retirement today on his official website.
Nomo, 39, pitched in three games this season for the Kansas City Royals but was designated for assignment on April 20. He was released on April 29.
Nomo played 12 seasons in the major leagues, compiling a 123-109 record and 4.24 earned-run average with seven teams. He pitched a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox in 2001, becoming only the fourth pitcher in baseball history to throw no-hitters in both leagues. His first was in 1996 for the Dodgers in Colorado.
Nomo was 13-6 with a 2.54 ERA with the Dodgers in 1995, when he was named an All-Star and the rookie of the year. His 236 strikeouts led the league.
"Nomomania" came to an end in 1998, when the Dodgers traded Nomo to the New York Mets. He had a second stint with the Dodgers from 2002-04.
In 4 1/3 innings with the Royals this season, Nomo gave up nine runs and three home runs.
dylan.hernandez@latimes.com
