NOMO MUST GO; DODGERS, PITCHER AGREE IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Hideo Nomo changed the face of baseball and brought pride to Japanese people on two continents, but in the last few weeks he never could shake the feeling that he was no longer wanted by the Dodgers.

Over the weekend, Nomo, who is struggling after once being the club's top pitcher, asked the Dodgers to trade him. Monday they obliged, designating him for assignment and leaving behind the 1995 Rookie of the Year Award, a 1996 no-hitter and countless memories that forever make him part of Dodgers history.

The club now has seven days to make a trade and three more to pass him through waivers. If Nomo's status is unchanged after 10 days, he becomes a free agent.

``He was not pitching well and he would admit to that,'' said former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley, who was instrumental in bringing Nomo to the Dodgers four years ago. ``I talked to him and this was not a sudden decision. We had a good dialogue, but when he decided a change in environment was best for him and the team, it came to closure.

``His time here will always be remembered as very special.''

Nomo, 29, who came to the United States after pitching five successful seasons in Japan, finishes his Dodgers career with a 45-36 record and 3.51 ERA. He averaged 234 strikeouts during his first three seasons and led the National League during his rookie year. Last September, Nomo reached 500 strikeouts faster than any pitcher in major-league history.

But this season, Nomo was just 2-7 with a 5.05 ERA in 12 starts. He lost 7-3 on Saturday and matched a career high with seven walks in his previous outing. He complained to teammates that the Dodgers were pulling him out of games early.

Although his spot as the most popular player in the Asian community had been replaced by Korean Chan Ho Park, it still was a surprising move given the vast global potential of the Dodgers through new owner Rupert Murdoch.

Nomo's arrival in 1995 had sparked Nomomania with sellout crowds at Dodger Stadium and his face all over television and national magazines. He was the first Japanese player in the major leagues since Masanori Murukami of the San Francisco Giants in 1965.

But the club, mired in lengthy trade talks with the Seattle Mariners over pitcher Randy Johnson, was not in a position to be nostalgic.

To avoid further distractions to its struggling (27-29) team, the Dodgers quickly designated Nomo for assignment and cleared him off the roster. Triple-A lefthander Gary Rath takes Nomo's spot on the roster and left-hander Dennis Reyes will replace him in the rotation.

Nomo, through his agent Don Nomura, first spoke to the Dodgers six weeks ago about his displeasure. The two sides spoke again Saturday and Sunday and demanded a trade.

``It would be best for me that I go to a team that needs my pitching,'' he said during an afternoon news conference at Dodger Stadium.

``I am very surprised by all that has happened,'' Dodgers manager Bill Russell said. ``He struggled this year, but we kept sending him out there every fifth day. I know we had disagreements when I took him out of games, but I told him that that was my role as manager. He always came to play and he never wanted to come out. He was a warrior.''

Although Nomo complained to teammates about a lack of support from Russell, there were several other factors that figured in Monday's decision.

According to sources, Nomo was displeased when the Dodgers refused to discuss a contract extension last winter. Nomura traveled to the club's training camp in Vero Beach to talk to Claire, but the Dodgers said they would talk about a new contract after the season.

Nomo is at the end of a three-year deal worth $2.8 million this season and $4.3 overall. He was coming off arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow and did not pitch well during spring training. Although he led the club with two complete games, his velocity and control were erratic.

The trade of the Dodgers top player, Mike Piazza, on May 15 showed no one was safe after the sale by O'Malley to Murdoch's Fox group.

``It became a much different place to him,'' Nomura said.

But most of all, Nomura said, the move was designed to give him a new start. It is an idea not lost on Seattle's Johnson, who wants to leave the Mariners because they will not give him a contract extension.

``What am I worth?'' Johnson said Sunday. ``And what have I been worth to this team the last two or three years. What is the value? I'm worth a couple of fungo bats and a bucket of balls. Used ones at that. It's comical.''

PHENOM TO FLOP

A look at Hideo Nomo's career as a Dodger:

Feb. 13, 1995 - After five seasons with Kintetsu Buffaloes, signs as free agent

June 14, 1995 - Strikes out 16 Pirates en route to setting team rookie record for Ks in a season (league-leading 236)

Nov. 9, 1995 - Named N.L. Rookie of the Year, becoming fourth straight Dodger to claim honor.

April 13, 1996 - Sets career high with 17 strikeouts against Florida. Finishes year with 234 Ks and fourth in Cy Young Award voting.

Sept. 17, 1996 - Becomes first player to throw no-hitter at Coors Field in 9-0 victory over Rockies.

April 25, 1997 - Becomes fastest pitcher in history to record 500 strikeouts (444-2/3 inn.)

June 7, 1997 - Pitches only complete game of season - a 5-2 victory over St. Louis. Finishes season with career worst 4.25 ERA.

April 18, 1998 - The downfall begins: lasts just two-thirds of an inning in 8-1 loss to Chicago

May 9, 1998 - Touched for four runs in 2-2/3 innings against Florida

May 30, 1998 - Lasts just 3 2/3 innings in his last start as a Dodger. Two days later he is designated for assignment.

--- Jon Clifford

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1--Color) Pitcher Hideo Nomo's 2-7 record and his unhappiness with the Dodgers led to his departure.

Michael Caulifield/Associated Press

(2--3--Color) no caption (Hideo Nomo)

Photos by Terri Thuente and Hans Gutknecht/Daily News

BOX: PHENOM TO FLOP (see text)