Notes: Nomo helped pave the way

[Porter]

Mariners' Ichiro says Rays pitcher opened door from Japan

ST. PETERSBURG -- Veteran Rays right-hander Hideo Nomo came to the Major Leagues in 1995, helping pave the way for other Japanese players, such as Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki, to get to the Majors.

Ichiro went to the Majors in 2001 and said his fellow Japanese players owe Nomo for being a pioneer.

"Before Nomo came here I think everyone looked at Major League Baseball as monsters playing the game," said Ichiro through a translator. "When he came here it showed us we can play the game, too.

"He's probably the one that kind of introduced the game to all of us, introduced the game of baseball."

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Very Intresting, but it makes a lot of sense. Many international players didnt really show up until after Nomo was successful, at least from Japan.

[Providence A's]

it was just a matter of time before someone else realized a) there were talented enough players there and/or b) there was money to be made on both sides...I think it's just a coincidence to be honest...if not him, someone else