Koji Ota

He is known for pitching in the final of 1969 National High School Baseball Championship. He pitched 18 shut-out 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.[1] 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 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 trend. An All-Star again in 1971, he went 0-1 with a 6.84 ERA. He improved to 2-1, 3.90 in 1972 – and was an All-Star. In 1973 he made it four All-Star selections and was 6-14 with a 3.23 ERA. 10-14, 4.64 – All-Star material in 1974. He was 12-12 with a 3.71 ERA in 1975 and was picked once more to the midsummer classics. He led the league with 6 wild pitches, the only time he led the PL in anything.

In 1976 Ota finally missed an All-Star team, going 9-7 with a 3.94 ERA. He returned to the All-Star squad in 1977 and went 10-14 with one save and a 3.21 ERA. He never made another All-Star team and slid downhill to 1-9, 5.40 in 1978, 7-4, 3.31 at age 27, 0-4, 10.66 in 1980, 0-1, 18.00 in 1981 and 0-0, 4.50 in 1982. Overall in Nippon Pro Baseball the high school superstar was 58-85 with 4 saves and a 4.05 ERA.