Nomo made the announcement on his blog, saying "I want to continue, but I don't think I can deliver a professional-level performance anymore. I believe many clubs feel the same way." I'd say that's accurate. Getting released by the Kansas City Royals is never a good sign. Neither is an 18.69 ERA.
In 11 MLB seasons, Nomo won 123 games, throwing 2 no-hitters. If you include his career in Japan, he won 201 games. Not Hall of Fame numbers, but the voters will have to consider the enormous impact he had on the game by paving the way for players such as Ichiro.
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Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.