Tomo Ohka is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. Ohka was born on March 18, 1976, in Kyoto, Japan, and began his baseball career in Japan before moving to the United States to play in the MLB.
Ohka made his MLB debut in 1999 with the Boston Red Sox, where he played for three seasons before being traded to the Montreal Expos in 2001. Ohka played for the Expos for four seasons, during which he established himself as a reliable starting pitcher. In 2003, Ohka had his best season, finishing with a 3.18 earned run average (ERA) and a 13-8 record.
After leaving the Expos, Ohka played for several other teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, and the Washington Nationals. Ohka's career was marked by his ability to throw a variety of pitches, including a fastball, curveball, and splitter. He was also known for his control and ability to keep the ball in the strike zone.
Ohka's career in the MLB ended in 2009, after he played for the Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays. He finished his career with a record of 51-68 and an ERA of 4.26. Ohka also played for the Japanese national team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, where he helped lead the team to the semifinals.
After retiring from baseball, Ohka returned to Japan and began coaching. He has worked as a pitching coach for several teams in Japan, including the Yokohama DeNA BayStars and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Ohka has also worked as a commentator for baseball games in Japan.
Overall, Tomo Ohka had a successful career as a pitcher in the MLB, playing for several teams and establishing himself as a reliable starter. His ability to throw a variety of pitches and keep the ball in the strike zone made him a valuable asset to his teams. After retiring from baseball, Ohka has continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and commentator.
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