The smell of fresh cut grass, the crack of the bat, the sound of two guys in Japanese headbands screaming about a 40 year old Hideo Nomo: some things happen every spring.
Today Hideo Nomo continued his comeback with the Kansas City Royals today in surprise much to the delight of two young bare-chested gentleman down the third base line. They screamed like madmen at every move Hideo made, one with the letters NO painted on his chest, the other with MO on his. Each wore white headbands with red dots in the center (surrounded by kanji) and I wondered what precisely possessed these young fellows to behave in this fashion. Suddenly, I realized that I was a reporter now and decided to find out.
VOROS: Do you guys call yourselves anything or are you just two guys?
NO: Nomonia is back!!
MO: Were Nomomaniacs!
VOROS: What's with the Nomo love?
MO: We're from LA originally so we're fans from way back.
VOROS: The headbands? They look homemade up close.
NO: Yeah we made them last night.
MO: We looked up his name in Japanese and spelled it out. Bought the cloth and paint at [a crafts store].
VOROS: Is this a one time thing or is this going to be like a Grateful Dead thing?
NO: Our goal is for Nomo to make the Royals
MO: We did it for Sammy Sosa last year and he made the Rangers so we're doing the same for Nomo this year.
VOROS: Do you really think he's going to make the team?
MO: Yes. I mean he's better than Barry Zito and the Giants gave him 120 million.
VOROS: Do you really want me to quote you on that?
MO (laughs): Okay, but I was here yesterday and after watching the Royals pitching I'll be surprised if he doesn't make it.
RANDOM FAN (shouts): I'll be surprised if he does.
VOROS: Guys, wait 'til I'm outta here to start the brawl. Last question: you guys on any medications I should know about?
MO (laughs): 100mg of Nomo daily.
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Notes: Eugenio Velez has a very odd batting stance: it's wide open and he holds the bat out away from him, with the bat stricking straight up like a flagpole. Both starting pitchers (Nomo and Barry Zito) topped out at around 86 MPH on their fastballs.