Opposing Central League pitchers of the Chunichi Dragons should have an easier time during the 2001 season. Slugger Leo Gomez has left that team after four years of punishing hurlers on the other five CL clubs, especially the Yomiuri Giants, as one of the most feared cleanup hitters in Japanese baseball.
Gomez, at 33, has apparently decided to retire from baseball, at least the Japanese version, after seven major league seasons with Baltimore and the Cubs and four productive years with Chunichi. A desire to be closer to his family was undoubtedly the prime factor in his decision not to renew his Japanese working visa. According to the Chunichi Sports newspaper, he plans another shot at major league ball but will settle for a season in Triple-A and eventually pursue a career in the religious ministry as the Rev. Leo Gomez.
The Puerto Rican native notified the team from his home in Baltimore that he would not return to Nagoya for another campaign, causing the Yomiuri mound staff to break out the champagne.