Nomo nears Japanese milestone

By MARC TOPKIN
Published April 24, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - It would be a nice story though not necessarily big news if Hideo Nomo improves to 3-1 by beating the Red Sox today.

But it will be a huge deal in Japan.

Before Nomo became a pioneer by coming to America, he was a star for the Kintetsu Buffaloes in the Japanese Pacific League, going 78-36 in five seasons with 1,204 strikeouts in 1,0511/3 innings.

The success he had there, and the success he has had in 11 seasons here with a 120-102 record, has him on the verge of a significant milestone in Japan.

A win today would be his 199th overall; with his 200th he will receive the honor of joining the Meikyukai, the Golden Players Club.

While not quite as important as the Japanese Hall of Fame, the Meikyukai is a significant honor. It takes 2,000 hits, 200 wins or 250 saves to get in, and there are only 43 members, including 15 pitchers. Current big-leaguers Ichiro Suzuki, of the Mariners, and Shinjo Takatsu, of the White Sox, are in, as is former Mariners closer Kaz Sasaki.

After being inducted, Meikyukai members get dark blue jackets with Pegasus logos, and they host events such as exhibition games and clinics for kids.

Nomo has downplayed the significance of joining the club.

"I'm not really concerned with the 200 wins that much," Nomo said through an interpreter. "I'm more concerned with making sure I stay healthy and help the team win and try to make the playoffs."

But the 20-30 Japanese journalists coming to the Trop today, and the 50-60 expected when Nomo pitches for No. 200, indicate how important it is.

"Nomo is the pioneer of Japanese major leaguers," said Gaku Tashiro of the Sankei Sports Daily. "Even though Nomo says this is not his goal, it is a great achievement for his career."

SEEING GREEN: Mindful that he is in the last year of his contract, Boston centerfielder Johnny Damon, who grew up in the Orlando area and still lives there, is doing a good job keeping his options open.

Damon, 31, says he'd like to stay in Boston, he doesn't mind the rumors that the Yankees might be interested, and he said he'd eventually consider playing for the Rays, even joking about how Rocco Baldelli will probably end up taking his place with the Sox.

"I wouldn't mind finishing up in Tampa, but right now they have some pretty good young players out there who they can keep for a long time," he said. "Once they become too expensive for Tampa, I might be cheap enough for Tampa."

RAYS RUMBLINGS: Three weeks into the season, and the national media is already speculating about manager Lou Piniella resigning/getting fired/being traded, with the Yankees and Orioles mentioned as possible destinations. ... With Nomar Garciaparra out two-three months, might the Cubs have interest in reacquiring former shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who is playing a solid third for the Rays? ... The Yankees are paying more in luxury tax, $30.6-million, than the Rays' current payroll of about $28-million. ... Bill Madden of the New York Daily News writes "what has been allowed to transpire in Tampa Bay is an embarrassment to baseball and is a textbook case for (commissioner Bud) Selig exercising his "best interests of the game' powers by ordering (managing general partner Vince) Naimoli to sell out now to Stuart Sternberg." ... Baldelli is recovering well from knee surgery, but it still may be August before he plays for the Rays. ... Based on 2004 records, ESPN.com's Alan Schwarz figures the Rays have the third toughest schedule this season, behind Milwaukee and Seattle. ... During last week's talk in New York, Piniella told Sternberg - of all things - "to have a little patience, that we'll get this thing straightened out and start playing better. At least that was our objective."

[Last modified April 24, 2005, 01:03:20]