Yutaka Ohno: Invited by Angels in late 1993
In late 1993, Yutaka Ohno, a former pitcher for the Hiroshima Carp, received an invitation from the Angels, becoming a potential candidate to join the team in 1994. This marked a significant moment as Ohno played a pivotal role in the Hiroshima league championship and continued to demonstrate his impressive skills throughout his professional career. His standout performance, particularly in 1992, piqued the interest of the Angels, positioning him as a sought-after player in the baseball arena.
Ohno’s outstanding achievements, including achieving 100 wins and 100 saves, attracted the attention of the Angels, who had been closely monitoring Japanese players and ultimately moved to acquire him. However, despite the compelling offer and the potential to further enhance his career in the Major Leagues, Ohno made a conscious decision to decline the opportunity, expressing his unwavering loyalty to the Carp and his commitment to Japanese baseball.
Missed Opportunities and Unwavering Loyalty
- Questionable Decisions: Ohno reflected on the missed opportunities and acknowledged the tempting offer from the Angels, emphasizing the possibility that his career could have taken a different trajectory had he accepted the invitation. His steadfast dedication to the Carp and the Japanese league ultimately prevailed, leading him to turn down the offer.
- Staying True to His Roots: Despite the allure of Major League Baseball and the potential for a new chapter in his career, Ohno’s decision to remain with the Carp reflects his deep-rooted connection to Japanese baseball and his unwavering commitment to his team and league.
- Regrets and Resilience: Ohno’s steadfast resolve and lack of regret in declining the offer highlight his resilience and conviction in staying true to his principles, ultimately shaping the trajectory of his career and solidifying his legacy in Japanese baseball.
Final Thoughts and Legacy
In retrospect, Ohno’s refusal to join the Angels was a defining moment that underscored his allegiance to the Carp and Japanese baseball. His unwavering loyalty and steadfast commitment to his team have left an indelible mark on the baseball world, serving as a testament to his resilience and unwavering dedication to his craft.
Yutaka Ohno was invited by the Angels in late 1993.
The Angels have had five players from Japan, including pitcher Shohei Ohtani. Pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa, who transferred from Orix in 1997, was the first choice, but there was a possibility that a different player would join the team in 1994. Former Hiroshima pitcher Yutaka Ohno (Hiroshima alumni chairman, baseball commentator) was invited. by the Angels towards the end of the 1993 season when he turned 38 years old. “If I had only said please, I think I could have gone,” he said.
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Ohno came closer again in 1991 and contributed to the Hiroshima league championship. In the Japan Series, where he lost to Seibu with 3 wins and 4 losses, he played in 3 games, made 2 saves, and did not allow a single point. He continued to perform well in 1992, his 16th year as a professional. He scored 42 times, recorded 5 wins and 3 losses, and made 26 saves, the most in the league. That year, he was hit by outfielder Hanshin Tsuyoshi Shinjo (the current manager of Nippon Ham) with a palm ball that he had learned from his former colleague Seiji Kobayashi (retired in 1988) and used in his own way. That’s what it means.
On September 16, 1992, in a game against Hanshin (Koshien), he pitched in the middle of the 8th inning, 0-0, and in the bottom of the 9th inning, he hit Shinjo with a 2-run walk off ball. . “In my case, I had a unique way of throwing, and the palm of the hand was putting a lot of stress on my elbow. Maybe that’s why the condition of my elbow was getting worse. Just when I thought it was time to give up, I threw a ball against Shinjo, I let him hang and decided to seal him. I haven’t thrown it again since then. When I think I can’t do it, I take the risk.”
However, there was one miscalculation. “Every time I come to Koshien, the scene where I was hit by Shinjo plays in my vision. It made me angry, though,” he said with a laugh. In this way, I said goodbye to the Flower Dance in September, but something sad happened in October. On October 4th, in the game against the Giants (Hiroshima), the retirement game was held for Mitsuo Tatsugawa, a catcher of the same age who had been part of the team for many years. “I learned a lot from him as we played together, and there were some games where we won because of his leadership.”
In the top of the 9th inning, Ohno and Tatsukawa appeared in a rescue car heading for the mound. “I don’t think the team thought about that,” he said, but it was an unforgettable moment. He was still alone. “After Tatsukawa quit, I had a lot of dreams about myself retiring. I kept having similar dreams, thinking, “Oh, I’m close too.” So I realized it was a huge shock.”
“If you answered, ‘Please,’ you could have gone.”
The invitation came from the Angels at the end of the following season, 1993. “I was contacted through an intermediary person.” Certain conditions appear to have been introduced as well, such as a year’s rent and an annual salary of $1 million (about 111 million yen at the exchange rate at the time). This year, Ohno saved in 12 consecutive games, from the second game of the season, April 11th against Yakult (Jingu) to June 6th against Yakult (Hiroshima). In the game against Yakult (Hiroshima) on April 29th, which was his seventh save of the season, he became the fourth player in history to achieve 100 wins and 100 saves.
The Angels have been investigating the Japanese closer for years and have finally moved to acquire him. Hideo Nomo moved to the major leagues in 1995. There was a possibility that major leaguer Yutaka Ohno would be born before then, but he says, “When I heard about it, I immediately said no. I turned it down on the spot.” my career ended wearing a uniform other than the Carp.”
Initially, he was not interested in the major leagues. “I went to the American educational league in my first and second year with the team, but I couldn’t get used to the slippery, big, heavy ball. stuck my finger in the natural grass. I sprained, etc. At 38 years old, I didn’t feel like doing it in that kind of environment. It would be different if there were one or two things I wanted to do, but nothing was relevant to me. I didn’t even bring the story home.”
It seems he didn’t even talk to the Carp team about this issue. “Later, I went around to the team and I think they talked to me, but I had already rejected them,” he said. “I felt grateful to be seen and evaluated in that way. If I had just said please, I could have gone,” he says, but he prefers the Carp to the major leagues. Even now in Reiwa’s age, there is no regret in turning down the offer after thinking about it.
“Being able to see and experience baseball there, including its feel and environment, would have been an asset and a factor that would have increased my ability to draw more. However, I’m glad I didn’t go. My thoughts at the time still unchanged. I have no regrets about that choice.” Mr. Ohno said this with a definite expression.
(Shinji Yamaguchi)
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