Hideo Nomo made his MLB debut in the US on May 2, 1995. That season saw him selected to play in the All-Star game and he finished the year off by becoming the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year, although it was amid some controversy (Many considered him not to be a rookie due to his having played in the Japan big leagues for several years prior to his MLB debut). His tornado-style wind-up and tricky forkball baffled many of MLB’s best hitters. However, 13 years have gone by since then, and on July 17th, Nomo announced his retirement from Major Leauge Baseball after a comeback attempt that had him take the mound one time as a reliever with the Kansas City Royals.

Nomo made his Japan major league debut with the Kintetsu Buffaloes in 1990 and soon became one of the most popular baseball players in Japan. Four years later, however, a contract dispute had him retire from playing ball in Japan and sent him to the US to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Throughout his career, Nomo played for several teams in both the American and National Leagues and became only the fourth pitcher in history to throw no-hitters in both leagues.

His was a career filled with ups and downs, but no matter what, Hideo Nomo was a pioneer; with his success, he opened the floodgates which allowed a wave of Japanese baseball players to enter the US big leagues. And even though his MLB career has ended with a whimper rather than a bang, he will be remembered by Japanese baseball fans as a true legend of the game.

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