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Top 10 Facts About Akira Ohgi

Akira Ohgi was a professional Japanese baseball player, coach, and manager. He was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.

Akira went on to become a coach and manager and was very successful as a manager- one of the most successful and influential managers that Japan ever had! He was born in 1935 and had a career spanning over fourteen years. 

Let’s take a look at some of the facts about him;

1. He Was Inducted Into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004

By National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Akira Ohgi was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004. This is one of his many accolades in the Baseball world. 

The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame contributes to the development of baseball in Japan through the dedication of baseball greats in the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

The hall of fame includes the players, executives and the umpires. 

2. His Approach as a Coach Was Player-led

Akira Ohgi’s approach was different from most other coaches. According to his approach players under him did what worked best for them and not according to him. 

One of his players, Hideo Nomo was one of Ohgi’s success stories, Nomo was the decision-maker during his workouts. He decided what he would do.

Nomo under Akira Ohgi’s direction went on to become a great pitcher nicknamed ‘the Tornado’ for his unique windup delivery.

Most coaches and managers in Japan did the same things, like being the boss and sometimes they could not achieve the required results. 

3. Akira Ohgi Was Sacked Only Once in His Managerial Career

Though his track record was good and many people could think he could always escape the axe, he was sacked once in his managerial career. 

He was sacked from  Orix, with the club going on to be relegated after finishing last that season. The club ended up getting poor results and finishing last in the subsequent four seasons. 

He was, however, rehired later after Orix git into a club merger and did a great job. 

4. He Was Converted From Pitcher to the Second Baseman During His Playing Days 

By Baseball Magazine Company Photographer unknown – From Baseball Magazine Company.

During his playing days, Ohgi was converted from a pitcher to a second baseman by his then manager Osamu Mihara. 

This was mostly because of his power and speed attributes that helped him excel on numerous occasions. 

He however was overall good at glove work rather than the offensive side of it. He played shortstop and second baseman positions during his playing career. 

5. His Career as a Coach and Manager Lasted More than 20 Years 

After he retired as a player,  Akira Ohgi coached the Lions for a year. He moved on as the Kintetsu Buffaloes coach for about sixteen years and later its manager in 1988.

His coaching and managerial career lasted more than 20 years before he finally called it quits. During his time as a coach, he became renowned for his philosophies. 

When he retired from Kintetsu in 1992, he commentated for the game during the 1993 season. Essentially, Akira Ohgi made a whole successful career off of Baseball. 

6. He Was Awarded Several Awards in His Career 

Akira Ohgi was awarded several awards in his career including the renowned Matsutaro Shoriki Award which honors persons that greatly contribute to the development of professional baseball.

The person who is awarded the award receives 5 million yen and a gold medal! Akira Ohgi was the recipient of this award in 1996. His impact was felt throughout the baseball fraternity.

He also received several other careers including the best nine awards which he received in 1960 and the NPB all-stars award. 

7. He Lost His Father in the 2nd World War

Photo by Museums Victoria on

Akira Ohgi lost his father in the 2nd world war in 1944 and was left with his mother to survive on their own. 

His father who was the breadwinner in their family left without notice. His mother had to pull up her socks to raise the small family she had been left with. 

Akira Ohgi went on to become a high school baseball star, taking his team to the Koshien Tournament in 1953.

8. Akira Ohgi Was Known for His Glove Work

Photo by benjamin hershey on Unsplash.

He was known more for his glove work than the offensive and often displayed power and speed in his moves. 

His numbers were pretty good too and rarely posted OBPs over .300. He batted .229/.293/.342 over his 14-year career as a player. 

Ohgi was selected to one Pacific League Best Nine squad in 1960. His clubs made five Japan Series and won three of them. All through his career,  Ohgi was always a top performer. 

9. He Was Also Renowned for His Man-management 

Ohgi became renowned for his man-management skills and was very instrumental in the development of outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, whose previous manager Shozo Doi had said would never hit with his unorthodox batting style.

Ohgi placed Ichiro into the leadoff spot, and Ichiro responded with an NPB single-season record 210 hits and threatened to become the first .400 hitter in NPB history, falling just shy of Randy Bass’s single-season batting average record when all was said and done. 

He was also instrumental in Hideo Nomo’s career. His words of encouragement to some of these stars made a big difference and earned him a name as one of the best managers. 

10. Akira Ohgi Died Aged 70 in 2005

Ohgi died on 15th December 2005 aged 70 years because of a respiratory arrest. He left behind a legacy as one of the best players and managers the sport has ever had. 

Shortly before his death, Ohgi led the Orix Buffaloes to an exciting 4th place finish in 2005, though stepping down at the end of the season citing health problems.

One of the best players Ichiro Suzuki who played under him eulogized saying “I wouldn’t have been what I am without manager Ohgi and my gratitude and appreciation to him couldn’t be greater.”

Ichiro maintained his close relationship with Ohgi even after moving onto the major leagues. 

Even after his death, he is still known as one of the greatest managers, an interesting person, who helped bring Japanese baseball to the world. He will be missed.