51.   The Sox also have Tomo Ohka, a largely inexperienced Japanese pitcher whom Nomo met this year in Detroit.

52.   The Yankees appeared to be moving closer Saturday to a deal for the Japanese pitcher they have coveted for months.

53.   Then there are the Japanese pitchers.

54.   They even made Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo, who speaks almost no English, make a speaking appearance Saturday at St. Timothy Elementary School in Los Angeles.

55.   Those featured Hideo Nomo, the Japanese pitcher who has become a star for the Los Angeles Dodgers and a hero in his home country.

56.   Unlike Hideki Irabu, the Japanese pitcher whose assimilation last season was awkward, Hernandez seemed to fit in with the Yankees right away.

57.   When the Japanese pitcher Hideki Irabu joined the New York Yankees last season, he spoke little English but quickly became known for his magnetism.

58.   A day after San Diego was awarded the rights to Hideki Irabu, his lawyer vowed that the Japanese pitcher would retire rather than sign with the Padres.

59.   Another Japanese pitcher, Shigetoshi Hasegawa, is a reliever with the Anaheim Angels.

60.   Duquette says Nomo can be a positive influence on Ohka, a younger Japanese pitcher.