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Waiakea graduate Onan Masaoka won three games in two seasons with the Dodgers, but has returned to the Big Island.
Hawaii's baseball fans were surprised when Onan Masaoka walked away from the professional game last spring after being released by the Chicago White Sox. Baseball can wait
for Masaoka
Masaoka's career stats
By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comAt that time Masaoka said he just wanted to return to the Big Island and take a year off.
Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers after being selected in the third round of the 1995 First-Year Player Draft following his senior year at Waiakea High School, the 6-foot left-hander progressed rapidly through the Dodgers' farm system. He made the jump from Class AA San Antonio to the Dodgers' opening-day roster in 1999.
He spent the entire season in the majors, but shuttled back and forth between Albuquerque, N.M., in the Pacific Coast League and Los Angeles during the 2000 season. Masaoka began the 2001 campaign with Las Vegas in the PCL, then was traded to the White Sox on July 26 of that summer and finished with Charlotte, N.C., in the International League.
"Taking a break was just a sudden thing. I had played baseball for a long time and had been in the pros since high school. When I got released I kind of looked at my career and decided to do some deep thinking about it," Masaoka said.
"I knew I was kind of burnt out. I didn't want to end my career in a bad way. Baseball had always been fun, enjoyable and that feeling wasn't there any more. Pitching was always natural for me and it was natural to compete.
"But, when I was in a game, on the mound, the adrenaline wasn't really there. I wasn't competing up to my standards and I didn't want to let my teammates down."
Masaoka, who turned 25 in October, spent this summer relaxing, thinking and enjoying other pursuits on the Big Island. When fall came he enrolled at Hawaii-Hilo and began work on a degree in communications. He also helps Vulcans baseball coach Joey Estrella with his pitching staff as a volunteer coach when time permits.
"Whatever I have learned, I don't mind giving back as long as there is someone to teach," said Masaoka.
"It's also a test for me because I'm still around the game. But, I'm comfortable with my decision. I'm at peace with myself. For now you can say I'm retired."
It's not like the baseball world forgot Masaoka when he retreated to the Big Island. The Boston Red Sox called and several Japan teams inquired about his availability, but that's as far as it went. He is a free agent, so he could sign with any team if he had a change of heart.
"If I have the desire and the fun returns, then definitely I'll go back. Until then, I'm not going to force myself and play the game just for the money. I plan on staying retired," said Masaoka.
Right now he is enjoying campus life, took five classes during the fall semester and got some good grades. And, yes, when fellow students learn of his background, there is a bit of excitement. However, that changes quickly.
"When they get to know me, I'm just another guy going in the same direction they are, trying to finish school. I kind of blend in," said Masaoka.
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Onan Masaoka's career statistics
Height: 6-0. Weight: 188. Throws: Left. Bats: Right. School: Waiakea Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1995-Yakima, Northwest 15 49 1/3 2 4 .333 28 20 47 75 3.65 1996-Savannah, South Atlantic 13 65 2 5 .286 55 31 35 80 4.29 1997-Vero Beach, Florida State 28 148 2/3 6 8 .429 113 64 55 132 3.87 1998-San Antonio, Texas 27 110 6 6 .500 114 65 63 94 5.32 1999-Los Angeles, National 54 66 2/3 2 4 .333 55 32 47 61 4.32 2000-Albuquerque, Pacific Coast 18 37 1/3 3 1 .750 31 16 36 22 3.86 2000-Los Angeles, National 29 27 1 1 .500 23 12 15 27 4.00 2001-Las Vegas, Pacific Coast 31 73 8 4 .667 87 45 28 61 5.55 2001-Charlotte, International 14 14 2/3 0 1 .000 11 7 5 22 4.30 Minor League Totals 146 498 27 29 .482 439 248 269 486 4.48 Major League Totals 83 93 2/3 3 5 .375 78 44 62 88 4.23
Highlights
>> Drafted in the 3rd round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, June 1, 1995. Signed June 4, 1995.>> Tied for the lead in wild pitches (12) and finished seventh in strikeouts (75) in the Northwest League in 1995.
>> Finished fifth in strikeouts (132) in the Florida State League and led Vero Beach in innings pitched (148 2/3) in 1997.
>> Listed as a Top 10 prospect (top pitcher, No. 5 overall) in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in Baseball America's 1998 Almanac.
>> Named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week (May 18-24, 1998) when he won both starts, allowed no earned runs in 15 innings and fanned 19 batters.
>> Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers with right-hander Gary Majewski and outfielder Jeff Barry to the Chicago White Sox for right-hander James Baldwin, July 26, 2001.
>> Signed by the Chicago White Sox, March 6, 2002.
>> Released by the Chicago White Sox, March 12, 2002.
>> Had 3 saves for Yakima in 1995, 1 for Vero Beach in 1997, 1 for San Antonio in 1998, 1 for Los Angeles in 1999 and 1 for Las Vegas and 5 for Charlotte in 2001.
