Former Boston Red Sox players born on Christmas Day
By Rick McNair
Red Sox other Japanese signing becomes a 2007 star
Chapman would have been in a frenzy over Red Sox lefty Hideki Okajima who signed with the Red Sox for the 2007 season. Oh, what a season that was for Okajima and Boston baseball.
Okajima had a substantial and impressive resume in Japan as a set-up man and closer, primarily for the Yomiuri Giants. The Red Sox beckoned and offered a two-year deal to travel stateside with the high-priced Daisuke Matsuzaka.
I remember Hideki’s first MLB pitch as it was lofted for a home run, but Okajima was a pitching life preserver from that pitch onwards. Okie went on an extensive scoreless streak, picked up the occasional save, and became a fan favorite with his depreciating humor.
Okajima did not throw hard but had an unusual delivery similar to former Red Sox great Luis Tiant. Okie also developed what became known as the “Okie-Dokie,” a variation of his change-up. By the 2011 season, it was over in Boston for Okie, who eventually returned to Japan and then back for a brief run with the Oakland Athletics.
Okajima pitched five seasons for the Red Sox, posting a 17-8 record in 266 games. For me, the highlight was Game Two against the Rockies in the 2007 World Series when Okie shut down the Rockies in relief of Curt Schilling.