Hideo Nomo
Before he came to Boston, Hideo Nomo spent six seasons in the league between the Dodgers, Mets, Brewers, and Tigers. After winning Rookie of the Year and finishing in the top five for the Cy-Young award twice, Nomo signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Red Sox before the 2001 season.
Although reliable, throwing 198 innings, Nomo's Red Sox career is defined more by its best moments than the year itself. Leading the league in both walks and strikeouts, Nomo had a 4.50 ERA in 33 starts for the Red Sox. However, the crowning achievement of his tenure came during the first start of the 2001 season. On April 4, 2001, he threw the first Red Sox no-hitter in 36 years, striking out 11 Orioles in the game and giving Boston fans hope that he was the ace they needed.
Nomo and the Red Sox parted ways following the 2001 season when he chose to return to Los Angeles where his MLB career began. He signed a two-year, $13.75 million deal with the Dodgers and he returned to his earlier career form, posting his best season since 1997.