Dodgers Outfox Nomo

“Nomomania” came to a shocking, abrupt end in Los Angeles.

Hideo Nomo, who brought thousands of Japanese fans to major league baseball after joining the Dodgers in 1995, was cut loose by the team Monday.

The Dodgers designated Nomo for assignment, removing him from the team’s 40-man roster immediately. They have 10 days to either trade or assign the 29-year-old right-hander, or seven days to place him on unconditional release waivers.

The decision marked another major move since the Fox Group purchased the Dodgers from the O’Malley family 2 1/2 months ago.

Catcher Mike Piazza and third baseman Todd Zeile were traded to the Florida Marlins on May 15 for outfielders Gary Sheffield and Jim Eisenreich, third baseman Bobby Bonilla, catcher Charles Johnson and a minor league pitcher.

And last week, the Dodgers were reportedly close to acquiring left-hander Randy Johnson from Seattle. Nomo’s name was mentioned prominently, and agent Don Nomura said at a Dodger Stadium news conference Monday those rumors caused his client to want to leave Los Angeles.

Nomo’s popularity among Asian fans was similar to the kind of fan support--”Fernandomania”--received in the Mexican community after the emergence of left-hander Fernando Valenzuela, who pitched for the Dodgers from 1980-90.

Nomura met with Dodger General Manager Fred Claire on Sunday and requested a move be made. A day earlier, Nomo was booed during a 7-3 loss to Cincinnati in which he allowed seven hits and six runs in 3 2/3 innings.

“Today was the fastball, it just wasn’t there,” Manager Bill Russell said after the game. “We’re told that he’s healthy, but he’s not the same.”

Nomo, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow last fall, was 2-7 with a 5.05 earned-run average, although he struck out 73 in 67 2/3 innings and pitched two complete games.

He lost his last four decisions, allowing 18 earned runs in 26 2/3 innings.

“Hideo had expressed the thought that it would be best to make a move,” Claire said. “We’ll be talking to many teams, perhaps all teams. There is a time frame. That being said, there is also a great demand for pitching. Hideo is an outstanding pitcher.”

Nomo said little at the news conference. But, through an interpreter, he said it was true he “definitely needed a change of scenery, a change of environment.”

“I’m truly grateful for everything the Dodgers did provide me, with an opportunity to fulfill a dream,” he said.

Nomo is signed through the end of the season and is earning $2.7 million this year--his fourth in the major leagues.

“Maybe a change of scenery would be beneficial for Hideo,” Nomura said. “He will be traded, and he goes on with his life.”

Nomo was the 1995 National League rookie of the year and recorded 500 strikeouts faster than any other pitcher in major league history, accomplishing the feat in 444 2/3 innings.

He was 13-6 with a 2.54 ERA and 236 strikeouts in 1995; 16-11 with a 3.19 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 1996, and 14-12 with a 4.25 ERA and 233 strikeouts last year.

When asked if Monday’s move meant Nomo’s career with the Dodgers was definitely finished, Claire said: “That is safe to say. It’s not a move you can turn back from.

“That being said, I will recall that when we signed Hideo, what he brought to the Dodgers was tremendous,” Claire said. “He will always be a part of Dodger history.”

Nomura also represents Japanese right-hander Hideki Irabu of the New York Yankees.

“Basically, I just want him to be able to clear up his current situation and do his best,” Irabu said when asked about Monday’s developments. “ . . . I don’t really know what’s going on inside of him. So I really can’t speculate on that either, unfortunately.”

To replace Nomo on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers purchased the contract of left-hander Gary Rath from Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League.