Hideki Okajima

From SoSH

Hideki Okajima

Born:	December 25, 1975
Birthplace:	Kyoto, Japan
Hometown:	Kyoto, Japan
Height:	6' 1"
Weight:	194 lbs
Bats:	Left
Throws:	Left
Drafted:	1994: 3rd Pick by the Yomiuri Giants
College:	Koshien
High School:	Higashiyama High School
Other Teams:	Yomiuri Giants 1995-2005 Nippon Ham Fighters 2006
Years with Boston:	2007 - Pres.

1 Japanese Career
2 Okajima's Moment in the Sun
3 Awards
4 Trivia
5 External Links

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Japanese Career

Okajima pitched out of the bullpen for 11 seasons in Japan, but only once (in 2001) did he serve as his club's closer. Okajima's career year in a set-up role in 2006 was a big part of Hokkaido's run to the Japan Series title. Okajima posted a 2.14 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 55 outings for the Fighters, with a 63-14 K-W ratio in 54.2 innings. Throws a plus fastball in the low 90s, a plus curveball and a forkball.

2006 Splits:

Hitter	AB	H	HR	BA	OBP	K	BB
RHB	130	33	5	.254	.287	36	2
LHB	70	13	0	.186	.269	27	8

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Okajima's Moment in the Sun

April 20, 2007: With closer Jonathan Papelbon unavailable after pitching in each of the previous two games, Okajima pitched the ninth inning against the New York Yankees for his first major league save. After an Alex Cora bloop single capped a five-run eighth inning giving the Red Sox a 7-6 lead, Okajima retired Derek Jeter on a groundout and walked Bobby Abreu before getting the red hot A-Rod to line out to second base and striking out Kevin Thompson to end the game.

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Awards

American League Rookie of the Month - April 2007
2007 American League All-Star

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Trivia

Nickname: Okaji
Former teammate of Hideki Matsui with the Yomiuri Giants.
Played with Bryan Corey on the 2004 Yomiuri Giants.
While playing for the Yomiuri Giants, Okaji came out of the pen to the Dixie Chicks' version of 'You Can't Hurry Love.'
Born on Christmas Day.

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