Los Angeles, CA -- (Sports Network) - Pitcher Hideo Nomo, who at the time was just the second Japanese player to reach the majors, officially retired on Thursday.

He announced his retirement after 12 seasons in the majors on his website.

The 39-year-old righty broke into the majors in 1995 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and won the NL Rookie of the Year that season after going 13-6 with a 2.54 earned run average.

He created a hype of "Nomo-mania" wherever he pitched. Many fans wanted to see his eccentric "tornado" windup, in which he paused with his arms overhead and then twisted his body before throwing. Many Japanese players followed Nomo to the majors in the wake of his success.

Nomo left the majors in 2005 after stints with the New York Mets, Milwaukee, Detroit, Boston and Tampa Bay and had attempted a comeback with Kansas City this season, but was released by the Royals in late April after just three relief appearances.

Nomo's 123 wins are the most in the majors by a Japanese pitcher and he is one of only four pitchers to throw no-hitters in the AL and NL. He threw one with the Dodgers in 1996 against Colorado at Coors Field and accomplished the feat again in 2001 in his debut with the Red Sox against Baltimore.

Nomo finished his career with a record of 123-109 with a 4.24 ERA.