Former Royals great Hideo Nomo is one of thirty-six former Major Leaguers that make up this year's Hall of Fame ballot. Nomo was the first major Japanese free agent to come to the United States, and he took the States by storm, winning 13 games his rookie year and earning Rookie of the Year honors with the Dodgers. He would pitch twelve seasons in the big leagues, winning 123 games, and tossing two no-hitters. At the end of his career, in 2008, having not pitched in the big leagues in three years, he would pitch three games for the Trey Hillman-led Royals. Nomo would give up nine runs in 4 1/3 innings for an ERA of 18.69. The Royals released him on April 20 and that was it for Nomo in the big leagues.
Hideo is the only former Royal on this year's ballot. Lee Smith once suited up in Royals blue for spring training, but he found his teammates so pathetic at playing baseball, he decided to hang em up.
Here are the thirty-six nominees for enshrinement into Cooperstown. Each voter's ballot can have up to ten names.
*-first timers
Moises Alou *
Jeff Bagwell
Armando Benitez *
Craig Biggio
Barry Bonds
Sean Casey *
Roger Clemens
Ray Durham *
Eric Gagne *
Tom Glavine *
Luis Gonzalez *
Jacque Jones *
Todd Jones *
Jeff Kent *
Paul Lo Duca *
Greg Maddux *
Edgar Martinez
Don Mattingly
Fred McGriff
Mark McGwire
Jack Morris
Mike Mussina *
Hideo Nomo *
Rafael Palmeiro
Mike Piazza
Tim Raines
Kenny Rogers *
Curt Schilling
Richie Sexson *
Lee Smith
J.T. Snow *
Sammy Sosa
Frank Thomas *
Mike Timlin *
Alan Trammell
Larry Walker
Who ya got on your ballot?