Koji Ota

Quick Facts: Who was Koji Ota?

Subject:

Koji Ota

Known for:

Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and current commentator for Mainichi Broadcasting System.

Born:

1952-01-23

Century / Era:

1952s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Koji Ota (太田 幸司, Ōta Kōji; born January 23, 1952) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, and belongs to Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. as a commentator in baseball live on radio and TV. Ota is a son of an American father and a Japanese mother, the adopted son of a Japanese stepfather and a Russian stepmother, who emigrated to Japan because of the Russian Revolution in 1917. Ota is known for pitching in the final of the 1969 National High School Baseball Championship. He pitched 18 shutout innings on one of the most-watched TV programs in Japanese history. After the game was called due to darkness, he returned the next game, but lost 4-2.

Career & Major Achievements

Before he graduated from high school, a book had been written about him and several TV documentaries had been aired. A popular figure among women due to his blue eyes and overall appearance, Ota became an instant celebrity nationwide. The first-round pick of the Kintetsu Buffaloes in 1969, Ota went 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA, yet was voted onto the Pacific League All-Star team, starting a dubious trend of being selected to All-Star teams despite mediocre numbers. He was voted an All-Star again in 1971, despite going 0-1 with a 6.84 ERA. He improved to 2-1, 3.90 in 1972, and was an All-Star.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1973, he went 6-14 with a 3.23 ERA, and was again selected to the All-Star team. 1974 saw him go 10-14, 4.64, which still resulted in him being voted an All-Star. He was 12-12 with a 3.71 ERA in 1975 and was picked once more to the midsummer classic. He led the league in 1975 with six wild pitches, the only time he led the PL in any category. In 1976 Ota finally missed an All-Star team, going 9-7 with a 3.94 ERA.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1917: 1917 Milestone — Ota is a son of an American father and a Japanese mother, the adopted son of a Japanese stepfather and a Russian stepmother, who emigrated to Japan because of the Russian Revolution in 1917.
2. 1952 (1952-01-23): Birth of Koji Ota — Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and current commentator for Mainichi Broadcasting System.
3. 1969: 1969 Milestone — Ota is known for pitching in the final of the 1969 National High School Baseball Championship.
4. 1971: 1971 Milestone — He was voted an All-Star again in 1971, despite going 0-1 with a 6.
5. 1975: 1975 Milestone — 71 ERA in 1975 and was picked once more to the midsummer classic.
6. 1976: 1976 Milestone — In 1976 Ota finally missed an All-Star team, going 9-7 with a 3.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Koji Ota

True or False: “Koji Ota was selected to the Pacific League All-Star team despite having mediocre pitching statistics in his early professional years.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text notes that he was voted onto the Pacific League All-Star team even when his records were not stellar, starting a 'dubious trend'.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Koji Ota