Tomokazu Ohka
From SoSH
| Born: | March 18, 1976 |
| Birthplace: | Kyoto, Japan |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 6' 1" |
| Weight: | 180 lbs |
| Bats: | Both |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | |
| College: | |
| High School: | Kyoto Siesho HS (Japan) |
| Other Teams: | Montreal Expos 2001-2004 Washington Nationals 2005 Milwaukee Brewers 2005-'06 Toronto Blue Jays 2007 |
| Years with Boston: | 1999-2001 |
Tomokazu (Tomo) Ohka is a right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1999 through 2001. He is currently a member of the Seattle Mariners organization.
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Overall Career
Tomo Ohkza came to the Red Sox after having his contract purchased from the Yokohama Bay Stars following the 1998 season. Ohka was used mostly as a reliever in 1999 before becoming a starter in 2000. During the 2001 season, Ohka (along with minor leaguer Rich Rundles) was traded to the Montreal Expos for Ugueth Urbina.
Since leaving Boston, Ohka has been a starting pitcher for the Expos/Nationals franchise, Milwaukee Brewers and most recently the Toronto Blue Jays.
On June 7, 2007 after compiling a 2-5 record in 10 starts, the Toronto Blue Jays designated Ohka for assignment and released him on June 18. He signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals the following day but was quickly released on July 4 when the Cards failed to add Ohka to their 25-man roster. Ohka subsequently signed with the Seattle Mariners on July 13, 2007.
In his nine-year career to date, Ohka has compiled a 50-63 record with 559 strikeouts and a 4.14 ERA in 999 innings.
Ohka's Moments in the Sun
- As a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohka had a dream day August 24, 2006 versus the Colorado Rockies, pitching 5 1/3 innings for the win and driving in a career-high four runs while batting left-handed for the first time in his career. [1]
- 2-time Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year (1999-2000)
- Ohka pitched a nine-inning perfect game for Triple-A Pawtucket on June 1, 2000. Ohka retired all 27 batters he faced in a 2-0 win over the Charlotte Knights. Ohka needed just 76 pitches to toss the first nine-inning perfect game in the International League since 1952.
Trivia
- In 2001, Ohka became the first Japanese pitcher to start a Red Sox home opener.
- Was mentioned in the March 16, 2003 (Season 14) espisode of The Simpsons entitled "C.E.D'Oh!" when Bart Simpson was playing baseball and claimed to be Tomo.
- Participated in the 1999 and 2000 Futures Game during All-Star Weekend, playing for the World team.
Transactions
- November 20, 1998: Purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the Yokohama Bay Stars (Japan Central).
- July 31, 2001: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with Rich Rundles to the Montreal Expos for Ugueth Urbina.
- June 10, 2005: Traded by the Washington Nationals to the Milwaukee Brewers for Junior Spivey.
- January 23, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- June 18, 2007: Released by the Toronto Blue Jays.
- June 19, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.
- July 4, 2007: Released by the St. Louis Cardinals.
- July 13, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
