April 1, 2001

Ladies and gentlemen, we are witnessing something truly special here at Camden Yards on this crisp April evening. Hideo Nomo, the man they call the Tornado, has just etched his name into baseball history.

With that final out, Nomo becomes only the fourth pitcher to throw a no-hitter in both the American and National Leagues. What a journey it's been for this remarkable hurler from Osaka, Japan.

You know, when Nomo first arrived in the majors back in '95 with that corkscrew delivery of his, some said it was just a gimmick. But tonight, he's shown once again that he's as genuine as they come.

I'm reminded of Nomo's first no-hitter, back in '96 at Coors Field of all places. That thin Denver air couldn't stop him then, and the Orioles' bats couldn't touch him tonight.

From the Land of the Rising Sun to the home of the Star-Spangled Banner, Nomo has bridged two baseball cultures. And now, he's bridged two leagues with no-hitters.

As the Red Sox mob their newest hero on the mound, you can feel the electricity in the air. Even the Orioles fans are standing and applauding. They know they've seen something rare and beautiful - a masterpiece painted pitch by pitch over nine innings.

In this game that spans generations, Hideo Nomo has just added another chapter to baseball's never-ending story. And isn't that why we love this game? Just when you think you've seen it all, baseball finds a way to surprise you.

On this night in Baltimore, Hideo Nomo didn't just pitch a game - he made history. And we were all lucky enough to be here to see it.