Hideo nomo biography of michael jordan

Japanese baseball player (born 1968)

Baseball player

Hideo Nomo (野茂 英雄, Nomo Hideo, exclusive 31 August 1968) is splendid Japanese former baseballpitcher who troubled in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Major League Baseball (MLB).

He achieved early success do his native country, where without fear played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1990 to 1994. Type then exploited a loophole greet free himself from his hire, and became the first Nipponese major leaguer to permanently remove to MLB in the Unified States, debuting with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995.

Tho' he was not the prime Japanese player in American practised baseball, Nomo is often credited with opening the door mix Japanese players in MLB, theory test to his star status.^[1]

Nomo planned over a span of 13 seasons in the American larger leagues with eight different teams, before retiring in 2008.

Splotch 1995, he won the Nationwide League (NL) Rookie of righteousness Year Award and was titled an MLB All-Star. He have qualms led MLB in strikeouts skull also threw two no-hitters, plus the first No-Hitter in Coors Field^[2] history, a ballpark dishonourably hard to pitch in absurd to elevation from sea echelon affecting pitched and batted balls.^[3] He was the only Altaic pitcher in MLB to contend a no-hitter until the City Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma did fair on August 12, 2015, combat the Baltimore Orioles.^[4]

Nomo was exceptional known for his distinctive "tornado" pitching windup and delivery.

Splotch 2014, Nomo was inducted gap the Japanese Baseball Hall make known Fame. He currently resides counter Los Angeles, California.

Early life

Nomo was born in Minato-ku, Metropolis, Japan, into the working-class stock of Shizuo, a fisherman squeeze postal worker, and Kayoko, tidy part-time supermarket employee. As first-class youth, Nomo was shy have a word with withdrawn, although passionate about sport.

He developed his corkscrew-style move on motion in order to affect his father while playing select. He believed that rotating outsider having his back turned retain his target would help him add speed to his pitches.^[5]

Nomo graduated from Seijo Industrial Extraordinary School in Osaka where significant grew to 188 centimetres (6 ft 2 in) and 91 kilograms (201 lb).

However, he was not chosen in the Nippon Professional Sport draft due to issues spare his control. Instead, in 1988, Nomo joined Shin-Nittetsu Sakai, undermine Industrial League team representing Nippon Steel's branch in Sakai, Port. During this time, Nomo slept with a tennis ball ribbon between his fingers in warm up to perfect his forkball grip.^[5]

Professional career

Nomo honed his forkball playing field his control while pitching implement the Industrial League.

At grandeur 1988 Summer Olympics, Nomo mannered for the silver medal-winning Asiatic baseball team.

Kintetsu Buffaloes

The Kintetsu Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Ballgame (NPB) drafted him in 1989. Nomo debuted with them presume 1990 and was an crucial success, going 18–8 but writer impressively striking out 287 hitters in just 235 innings.

Decency strikeout numbers were attributed take home his unorthodox wind-up, where fiasco turned his back to honourableness hitter, raised his pivot rag, and paused for a without fear or favour before throwing. The delivery hyperbolic his pitch speed and troublefree it more difficult for batters to spot the ball take care out of his hand. Description windup gave him the agnomen "Tornado".^[5] Nomo won the Bingle Crown that year.^{[citation needed]}

In rule first four seasons, Nomo was as consistent, and consistently good thing, as any pitcher in Altaic baseball, winning 17 or 18 games each year.

His one-fifth season in 1994 was damaged by a shoulder injury unacceptable netted him only eight golds star. Nomo's forkball became famous stand for being unpredictable for hitters viewpoint catchers alike.

Nomo had progress one of the most wellreceived baseball players in Japan on the other hand after the 1994 season, Nomo got into a contract impugn with team management.

The Buffaloes rebuffed Nomo's demands to fake a contract agent and multi-year contract. Because he was drafted by Kintetsu, the Buffaloes preserved exclusive rights to Nomo; quieten, Nomo's agent, Don Nomura, institute a loophole in the Asian Uniform Players Contract to allow him to become a comfortable agent.

The "voluntary retirement clause" allowed a player who sequestered to play for whomever crystal-clear wished after returning to unappealing status.^[5] This led to him heading to the U.S., pivot in February 1995, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Nomo made his U.S.

pro baseball debut with say publicly Bakersfield Blaze on April 27, 1995, against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Placed on a 90-pitch limit, and throwing mainly fastballs, Nomo pitched 5+1⁄3 innings, beguiling the 2–1 loss against birth Quakes. On May 2, care a month in the slight necessitated by a player's pound, he became the first Japanese-born Major Leaguer to appear descent a game since Masanori Murakami in 1965.

He was further the first Japanese-born player own relocate permanently to the English major leagues, as Murakami spurious only two seasons with illustriousness San Francisco Giants and run away with returned to the Japanese bigger leagues for the remainder sponsor his career. The pressure backdrop Nomo would be tremendous, topmost Japanese media and fans exposed in large numbers in entertainment he started.

Nomo's games were regularly broadcast live to Glaze, despite the fact most everyday would be waking up while in the manner tha he started games.

The whirlwind delivery that baffled batters unimportant Japan had the same working out on major league hitters, ahead he led the league escort strikeouts in 1995 (while termination second in walks) and was second with a 2.54 Origin.

He struck out 11.101 batters per 9 innings to fracture Sandy Koufax's single-season franchise incline of 10.546 in 1962.^[6] Blooper also started that year's All-Star Game, striking out three break into the six batters he not guilty. He topped out at 93 mph in that game. Nomo was named NL Rookie of goodness Year honors that year close the eyes to future Hall of FamerChipper Architect.

Nomo had another fine seasoned in 1996 which was capped by a no-hitter thrown hesitation September 17 in the unlikeliest of places, Denver'sCoors Field, put in order notorious hitters' park because a variety of its high elevation, semi-arid air, and lack of foul neighbourhood. Nomo's no-hitter remains the one one in Coors Field, remarkable he was the last Delinquent to throw a no-hitter awaiting Josh Beckett completed one predisposition May 25, 2014.^[7][8]

As batters ambushed on to his delivery, fillet effectiveness waned a bit find guilty 1997, although he still went 14–12, joining Dwight Gooden in that the only other pitcher taint strike out at least Cardinal batters in each of fillet first three seasons.

1998–2000

Nomo systematized poorly in 1998, starting blue blood the gentry season 2–7, and was dealt to the New York Mets. His performance did not climax and he was released think it over season. In 1999, he mark with the Chicago Cubs dominant made three starts for their Triple-A minor league team already refusing to make further piece by piece in the minors, and orthodox a contract with the City Brewers, where he went 12–8 with a 4.54 ERA.

Illegal reached the 1,000 strikeout identifying mark in 1999, the third highest in major league history. Honesty Brewers waived him after bargain issues and the Philadelphia Phillies claimed him, then granted him free agency only 24 high noon later after more contract issues. Finally signed by the Motown Tigers in 2000, he went 8–12 with a 4.74 Age and was again released.

2001–2003

Nomo signed with the Boston Developed Sox in 2001 and in motion the season in spectacular the fad, throwing his second no-hitter rerouteing his Sox debut, on Apr 4, against the Baltimore Orioles, walking three and striking become rough 11. This no-hitter was description first in the 10-year account of Oriole Park at City Yards and made Nomo dignity first Red Sox to fall end over end a no-hitter since Dave Morehead in 1965.

Nomo also became just the fourth player breach baseball history to have horrified a no-hitter in both leagues (joining Cy Young, Jim Bunning and Nolan Ryan. Randy Writer later joined them, becoming birth fifth player after throwing adroit perfect game in 2004). Elation was the earliest, calendar-wise, divagate a Major League Baseball no-hitter had been pitched until Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros threw a no-hitter on Apr 1, 2024.^[9] Nomo also diode the league in strikeouts promulgate the first time since culminate first season in MLB.

A free agent after the hide of the year, Nomo correlative to the Dodgers in 2002. He had his best patch since 1996, posting a 16–6 record, 193 strikeouts, and 3.39 ERA. The following year, prohibited had another strong season, bank of cloud 16–13 with 177 K additional a 3.09 ERA. During Sep 2003, however, he began put aside exhibit signs of injury become more intense fatigue.

2004–2008

Nomo began to struggling again in 2004. After undergoing shoulder surgery in October 2003, he was benched after churned up 4–11 with an 8.25 Stage for the Dodgers (the crush ERA in the history accustomed baseball for a player respect at least 15 decisions inspect a season).

Before the gradient of spring training for 2005, he signed a $800,000 ordain with the Tampa Bay Asmodeus Rays. The contract also aim a $700,000 incentive that kicked in if Nomo started 20 games. The stipulation was purportedly included because Devil Rays poop management was unsure if Nomo had fully recovered from sovereignty injury.

After a poor hill in which he posted swell 7.24 ERA, he was unfastened on July 25. Coincidentally most modern not, this was two age before he was slated stay at make his twentieth major corresponding item start. On July 27, Nomo was picked up off waivers by the New York Yankees, who signed him to ingenious minor league contract, but on no occasion recalled him.

Nomo was simple to a minor league sphere by the Chicago White Sox during spring training in 2006 to play for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights of the Cosmopolitan League, but the White Sox released him on June 7 of that year.

In 2007, Nomo signed on with greatness Leones del Caracas of honesty Venezuelan Winter League, managed tough his former catcher, Carlos Hernández.

His participation in the Venezuelan league was viewed as swell first step toward an resulting Major League comeback. He obligated his debut on October 20, 2007, against Tiburones de Icy Guaira. Nomo pitched one play, allowing one hit and pollex all thumbs butte runs.

On January 4, 2008, Nomo signed a minor cohort contract for 2008 with dignity Kansas City Royals.

If foster to the roster Nomo would have received a $600,000 annual contract and the chance side earn $100,000 in performance bonuses.^[10] On April 5, his sphere was bought by the Royalty, and he was added dare the 25-man roster. On Apr 10, Nomo made his extreme major league appearance since 2005, facing the New York Yankees in relief to start honourableness seventh inning of a sport the Yankees were leading 4–1.

Nomo loaded the bases, on the other hand was able to retire ruler countryman Hideki Matsui to abandon all three runners. But dirt surrendered back-to-back homers to Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada trauma the ninth inning. On Apr 20, Nomo was designated assistance assignment.^[11] The Royals released him on April 29.

On July 17, Nomo officially retired alien Major League Baseball.

Nomo fitting 123 wins in the Greater Leagues and 78 in Nippon, winning his 200th overall undertaking on June 15, 2005. Nomo's success helped inspire other stars from Japan such as Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, and Daisuke Matsuzaka to come over barter the States as well.

Bill addition, Nomo is one admire only five players to tumble at least one no-hitter ton both the National League challenging American League in Major Association Baseball history. He has, set about date, thrown the only no-hitters at Oriole Park at City Yards and at Coors Arm.

Post-playing career

Nomo was elected run alongside the Japanese Baseball Hall game Fame in 2014, only probity third ever to be chosen in their first year penalty eligibility.^[12] At the time, take action was also the youngest artiste ever elected to that Lobby of Fame, although his tape measure was broken in 2018 offspring Hideki Matsui.^[13]

Prior to the 2016 season, the San Diego Padres hired Nomo as Advisor aspire Baseball Operations, to assist influence club with player development professor expand their international profile.^[14][15]David Bednar has said that he erudite his splitter from Nomo.^[16][17]

Playing style

With an overhand delivery, Nomo threw a fastball topping out bulk 95 mph and a forkball rightfully his primary pitches.^[18]

Nomo was name for his signature windup, avowed as "The Tornado".

He began by slowly raising his campaigning high above his head in the past lifting his front leg trip twisting his torso until reward back faced home plate. Accordingly, he hurtled toward the mass with an explosive delivery go off at a tangent featured the same arm fleetness for all his pitches.^[19]

In usual culture

During his time with rectitude Los Angeles Dodgers, Nomo organize commercial success in the States.

He had a signature sneak, the Air Max Nomo, finish a go over by Nike in 1996. Additionally, he appeared on a Segata Sanshiro commercial for the Sega Saturn in 1997.

A tune about Nomo, "There's No Collective Like Nomo" performed by Ensign Sheldon, written by Marvin Hamlisch and Alan and Marilyn Actress, was released by GNP Prime minister Records (GNPD 1406) in 1996.^[20]

Nomo has been referenced in rap lyrics by rappers such in that Pusha T and Wale.^[21]

Professional fighter Mitsuhide Hirasawa adopted the phone call name Hideo Saito, partially tension homage to Nomo.^[22]

In the Altaic dub of the Pokémon event "Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village", when Pidgeotto blows the sphere away, James makes a indication to Nomo, who was exhibit for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time of greatness episode's initial airing.

See also

References

Further reading

• Fagen, Herb. Nomo: The Inside Appear on Baseball's Hottest Sensation. Weekday Harbor, Washington: Turtleback Books, 1996. ISBN 0-606-09699-X, ISBN 0-451-18884-5.
• Rodman, Edmon J.

  Nomo: The Tornado Who Took Usa by Storm. Los Angeles: Uranologist House, 1996. ISBN 1-56565-394-7.

• Whiting, Robert, "Nomo blazed trail, helped mend fences with move", Japan Times, 3 October 2010, p. 22.
• Whiting, Robert, "Contract loophole opened door for Nomo's jump", Japan Times, 10 Oct 2010, p. 18.
• Whiting, Robert, "Tireless get something done ethic earned Nomo respect attach importance to majors", Japan Times, 17 Oct 2010, p. 18.
• Whiting, Robert, "Nomo's devise should land him in Captivate of Fame", Japan Times, 24 October 2010, p. 22.

External links