Nomo Travels With Orix

» 15 April 2009 » In npb »

Since retiring, Hideo Nomo has been working as a “technical advisor” with the Orix Buffaloes, the current incarnation of his former NPB team. Nomo just went on his first road trip with the Buffaloes, accompanying the team on their three-game trip to Hokkaido to face the Fighters. He won’t be in uniform, but he’ll be watching the games and working with team’s pitchers.

That’s pretty thin news, but it’s an excuse to say that I always thought it was lame the way Nomo went out — released by the Royals after a vagabond trek through the minors, disabled lists and South American winter leagues. I was hoping Orix would sign him to a one-day contract and give him a proper sendoff, but judging by the shape he’s in I don’t think it’ll happen.

Tags:

Trackback URL

  1. Patrick
    Jay 10
    16/04/2009 at 6:47 am Permalink

    Nomo is one of the reasons that Asians are playing in the MLB. If he didn’t succeed there would be no Ichiro or Matsuzakas in the MLB. Nomo also helped bring back fans that were lost during the strike shortened season. I hope the MLB and NPB honor him in some sort of fashion truly one of the pioneers of the sport in my opinion.