Kentarō Ogawa (January 12, 1934 – October 8, 1995) was a Japanese professional baseball player. A right-handed submarine-style pitcher,[1] he played in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons. Ogawa was one of the top pitchers in Nippon Professional Baseball before a scandal derailed his career. During his prime years from 1965–1969, Ogawa won 93 games, including winning 20 games or more twice.
| Kentarō Ogawa | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: January 12, 1934 Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Died: October 8, 1995 (aged 61) | |
Batted: right Threw: right | |
| Nippon Professional Baseball debut | |
| 1964, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
| Last appearance | |
| May, 1970, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss | 95-66 |
| ERA | 2.62 |
| Strikeouts | 739 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Biography
editOgawa attended Fukuoka Prefectural Meizen High School, graduating in 1954.[1] He signed with the Toei Flyers, but instead of pursuing professional baseball, he went to work in the private sector.[1]
Deciding to return to professional baseball at age 30, he made his NPB debut for the Chunichi Dragons in 1964. In 1967 he went 29-12 with a 2.51 ERA and 16 complete games, winning the Eiji Sawamura Award. The next year he led the league in losses with 20, while still compiling a low 3.27 ERA and 9 complete games. In 1969 he returned to form, winning 20 games for the second time.
Black Mist scandal
editIn 1970 Ogawa started the season 2–1 with a 1.71 ERA.
On May 6 of that year, Ogawa was arrested for taking part in match fixing involving both NPB baseball and flat track motorcycle racing. He was also implicated in baseball game-fixing.[1] On June 6, 1970, the NPB commissioner committee banned Ogawa for life.
See also
editReferences
editExternal links
edit- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference