Koji Uehara
Encyclopedia
is a Major League Baseball
Japanese
right-handed relief pitcher
. He is currently a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
.
Uehara throws a high-80s four-seam fastball (tops out at 92 mph) and a solid forkball as his primary pitches. He's never been a power pitcher anywhere, but still has a great K/BB ratio with his pinpoint command.
in 1998. He had a successful rookie year in 1999, with 15 consecutive wins which broke the all-time rookie record, claimed the Rookie of the Year
, Eiji Sawamura Award, and led in wins, ERA, strikeouts and winning percentage.
In 2001, he finished with a 4.02 ERA, the highest of his career. However, in 2002, he rebounded, leading the Central League in wins and collected his second Sawamura Award.
He was injured before the 2007 season which made him a late appearance, and in that season, he became a closer
instead, recorded an 1.74 ERA with 4 wins, 3 losses and 32 saves. Though showing a good ability both starting and closing, he returned as a starting pitcher in the 2008 season. He left the Giants after that season becoming a free agent and allowing him to play in Major League Baseball.
He was a member of the Japanese national baseball team
which competed in the 2004 Olympic games
in Athens. The team eventually won the bronze medal.
In 2006, he joined Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic
and earned 2 wins, improving his unbeaten record in international competition (including amateur appearances) to 12 wins in 21 total appearances. In the World Baseball Classic, team Japan beat team Cuba to win the championship; Uehara led the tournament with 16 strikeouts. He was a closer in 2007 Asian Baseball Championships, played in two games and earned his first international save against Korea.
His performance in 2008 was extremely unstable, even being demoted to farm team in late April. He remained in the 39-out-of-77 men candidate list towards the Beijing Olympics
in late June, and was selected to the final 24-men list in mid-July. He was expected to be a set-up pitcher, not a starting pitcher or closer before the Olympic Games due to his instability in that season. But he appeared as a closer in his first appearance against Chinese Taipei, pitching a shutout inning in the game without yielding a hit, winning 6–1. He earned his first Olympic save against Canada, holding a 1–0 victory two days later. However, after the Japan finished fourth in the games, he expressed no interest on participating the World Baseball Classic
in 2009 in an interview, meaning that his record has come to an end.
and signed with Yomiuri instead of following the advice of family and acquaintances. The Angels have expressed their continued interest in Uehara, as Scouting Director Eddie Bane
had stated that acquiring either Uehara or Daisuke Matsuzaka
was a top priority for the team. However, many other teams, including the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Mets, and Orioles had shown interest in bidding for Uehara if and when he were to become available.
Uehara asserted his preference in public to be transferred to a Major League Baseball team through the posting system
. His efforts had been rebuffed by the Yomiuri Giants front office. He was expected to be eligible for free agency in 2007 (but that was postponed to 2008 due to his injury). He became eligible for free agency in April 4, 2008.
He is also a friend of Roger Clemens
after Clemens visited Japan in 2004 as a member of MLB all star team. MLB.com showed a video in which Clemens gave Uehara his game-used black glove with autograph http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060317&content_id=1353531&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.
. He started the 2009 season as the number two starter behind ace Jeremy Guthrie
. He made his big league debut on April 8 against the New York Yankees
. He walked the first batter he saw in regular season play, Derek Jeter
. Uehara earned the win, going five innings and giving up just one run. His second outing resulted in a win against the Texas Rangers.
On April 29, 2009, Uehara took a line drive off of the sternum for which he was X-rayed and the results came back negative.
On September 10, 2009, it was announced that Koji would be out for the remainder of the 2009 season. He started the 2010 season as a set-up reliever in the bullpen.
and Tommy Hunter
. The move re-united him with his old high school team-mate Yoshinori Tateyama
In 2011, he was 2–3, with a 2.35 ERA, between the two teams.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
right-handed relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. He is currently a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Uehara throws a high-80s four-seam fastball (tops out at 92 mph) and a solid forkball as his primary pitches. He's never been a power pitcher anywhere, but still has a great K/BB ratio with his pinpoint command.
Japanese baseball
Uehara graduated from the Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, and was drafted with the first pick by the Yomiuri GiantsYomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...
in 1998. He had a successful rookie year in 1999, with 15 consecutive wins which broke the all-time rookie record, claimed the Rookie of the Year
Nippon Professional Baseball Rookie of the Year Award
The Nippon Professional Baseball Rookie of the Year Award is given to one player in each league of Central League and Pacific League.-Central League:-Pacific League:-See also:*Nippon Professional Baseball#Awards*Baseball awards#Japan...
, Eiji Sawamura Award, and led in wins, ERA, strikeouts and winning percentage.
In 2001, he finished with a 4.02 ERA, the highest of his career. However, in 2002, he rebounded, leading the Central League in wins and collected his second Sawamura Award.
He was injured before the 2007 season which made him a late appearance, and in that season, he became a closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
instead, recorded an 1.74 ERA with 4 wins, 3 losses and 32 saves. Though showing a good ability both starting and closing, he returned as a starting pitcher in the 2008 season. He left the Giants after that season becoming a free agent and allowing him to play in Major League Baseball.
International competition
Uehara is renowned for his performance in international competition. He participated in international events since he was in the University, he also participated Olympic Games twice, as well as the first World Baseball Classic, and participated in Asian Baseball Championships. He has 12 wins and 2 saves, without a loss in his 25 appearances from the above events.He was a member of the Japanese national baseball team
Japan national baseball team
The Japan national baseball team is the national baseball team representing Japan in international competitions. They are one of the more successful baseball teams in the world, having won the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009...
which competed in the 2004 Olympic games
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
in Athens. The team eventually won the bronze medal.
In 2006, he joined Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
and earned 2 wins, improving his unbeaten record in international competition (including amateur appearances) to 12 wins in 21 total appearances. In the World Baseball Classic, team Japan beat team Cuba to win the championship; Uehara led the tournament with 16 strikeouts. He was a closer in 2007 Asian Baseball Championships, played in two games and earned his first international save against Korea.
His performance in 2008 was extremely unstable, even being demoted to farm team in late April. He remained in the 39-out-of-77 men candidate list towards the Beijing Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in late June, and was selected to the final 24-men list in mid-July. He was expected to be a set-up pitcher, not a starting pitcher or closer before the Olympic Games due to his instability in that season. But he appeared as a closer in his first appearance against Chinese Taipei, pitching a shutout inning in the game without yielding a hit, winning 6–1. He earned his first Olympic save against Canada, holding a 1–0 victory two days later. However, after the Japan finished fourth in the games, he expressed no interest on participating the World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
in 2009 in an interview, meaning that his record has come to an end.
Inclination for MLB
In 1998, Uehara rejected a contract worth $3 million from the then-Anaheim AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and signed with Yomiuri instead of following the advice of family and acquaintances. The Angels have expressed their continued interest in Uehara, as Scouting Director Eddie Bane
Eddie Bane
Edward Norman Bane is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1973 to 1976 with the Minnesota Twins. He is currently serving as a Major League Scout with the Detroit Tigers ....
had stated that acquiring either Uehara or Daisuke Matsuzaka
Daisuke Matsuzaka
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball in the United States. He previously played for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League. He was selected the MVP of the inaugural and the second World Baseball Classic, and is an Olympic bronze...
was a top priority for the team. However, many other teams, including the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Mets, and Orioles had shown interest in bidding for Uehara if and when he were to become available.
Uehara asserted his preference in public to be transferred to a Major League Baseball team through the posting system
Posting system
The is a baseball player transfer system that operates between Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and the United States' Major League Baseball . Despite the drafting of the United States – Japanese Player Contract Agreement in 1967 designed to regulate NPB players moving to MLB, problems...
. His efforts had been rebuffed by the Yomiuri Giants front office. He was expected to be eligible for free agency in 2007 (but that was postponed to 2008 due to his injury). He became eligible for free agency in April 4, 2008.
He is also a friend of Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
after Clemens visited Japan in 2004 as a member of MLB all star team. MLB.com showed a video in which Clemens gave Uehara his game-used black glove with autograph http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060317&content_id=1353531&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.
Baltimore Orioles
On January 13, 2009, Uehara signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. He started the 2009 season as the number two starter behind ace Jeremy Guthrie
Jeremy Guthrie
Jeremy Shane Guthrie is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life and education:...
. He made his big league debut on April 8 against the New York Yankees
2009 New York Yankees season
The 2009 New York Yankees season was the 107th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees opened their new Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2009, when they hosted an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs...
. He walked the first batter he saw in regular season play, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
. Uehara earned the win, going five innings and giving up just one run. His second outing resulted in a win against the Texas Rangers.
On April 29, 2009, Uehara took a line drive off of the sternum for which he was X-rayed and the results came back negative.
On September 10, 2009, it was announced that Koji would be out for the remainder of the 2009 season. He started the 2010 season as a set-up reliever in the bullpen.
Texas Rangers (2011)
On July 30, 2011, Uehara was traded to the Texas Rangers for Chris DavisChris Davis (baseball)
Christopher Lyn Davis is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles.-Professional career:...
and Tommy Hunter
Tommy Hunter (baseball)
Raymond Thomas "Tommy" Hunter is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles....
. The move re-united him with his old high school team-mate Yoshinori Tateyama
Yoshinori Tateyama
is a Japanese Major League Baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers.As a sidearm pitcher Tateyama combines a fastball that averages 87 mph with a curveball, and he also pitches a screwball against lefties. While his strikeout totals were average, he got hitters out with his control .On November...
In 2011, he was 2–3, with a 2.35 ERA, between the two teams.
Personal life
Uehara collects gear such as gloves, bats, caps, shoes, and wears that used to belong to other famous players.Awards in Japan
| 1999 | Central League Rookie of the Year, Best Nine Best Nine Award The Best Nine Award is awarded annually to the best player at each position in both the Central League and Pacific League of Japanese professional baseball as determined by a pool of journalists.-History:... , Eiji Sawamura Award, Golden Glove Mitsui Golden Glove Award The Mitsui Golden Glove Award, sponsored by Japan's Mitsui Group, is annually awarded to nine fielders in Japan's professional baseball leagues by the Nippon Professional Baseball Association. The players are selected based on votes by TV, radio, and newspaper journalists with over 5 years... , ERA, Strikeouts and Wins champion of the Central League |
| 2002 | Sawamura Award, Best Nine, Wins champion of the Central League and Japan Series Japan Series , or is the annual championship series in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top baseball league in Japan. It is a seven-game series between the winning clubs of the league's two circuits, the Central League and the Pacific League.... |
| 2003 | Gold Glove, Strikeouts champion of the Central League |
| 2004 | ERA champion of the year |
| Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Game | 1999–2005, 2007 |