Akira Okawa

Akira Oikawa (大川 章)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.

• School Osaka University of Commerce
• High School Ikuei High School

• Born September 27, 1957 in Ashiya, Hyogo Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Akira Oikawa pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball for 7 years.

Okawa was drafted by the Yakult Swallows in the 2nd round of the 1979 NPB draft, and he stayed in the NPB Farm Leagues in his first season. He had a 3.29 ERA in 21 games in 1981, but his ERA rose to 7.20 in 14 appearances in 1982. Okawa didn't reach the top team in 1983, and he had a 5-3 record with 4 saves and a 3.598 ERA in 65 games in 1984. He was 2nd in appearances in the Central League, 12 behind Osamu Fukuma. Okawa then slumped to 2-6 with a 6.21 ERA in 1985, and he went 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 1986. He only pitched 5 innings combined for the big club in the next two seasons, and he also won the ERA title of the Eastern League in 1988. The Swallows then traded him to the Nippon Ham Fighters for cash, but Okawa only got 4 appearances in 1989 and he announced his retirement.

Overall, Okawa was 8-13 with 5 saves and a 5.17 ERA, struck out 154 and pitched 285 2/3 innings in 8 seasons in NPB.

Sources

• Wiki Japan