Hideo Nomo

Hideo seemingly came out of nowhere to give baseball a tremendous shot in the arm in '95. Actually, he was very well known in the Far East, where he compiled a 78-45 record with a 3.15 ERA in five seasons as Japan's premier power pitcher. Hideo led the Pacific League in strikeouts and wins four straight years and was called "The Tornado" because of his whirling delivery. Raising his hands high over his head, he turns his back to the plate, wrapping his right arm behind him. Finally, gracefully, he unwinds and delivers a 91-mph fastball or a forkball with a nasty downward bite. "Hitters aren't sure if he's going to throw the ball to the plate or into center field," said one observer. At any rate Hideo was named the NL Rookie of the Year in '95, tossed a one-hitter, struck out 10 or more 11 times, started in the All-Star Game and led the NL with 236 SOs while finishing second with a 2.54 ERA.