Takahiro Mahara

Summary

Takahiro Mahara (馬原 孝浩, Mahara Takahiro, born December 8, 1981 in Kumamoto, Kumamoto) is a right-handed pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Originally a starter, Mahara was converted to a closer partway through 2005 season and has been an efficient closer since then.

Takahiro Mahara
Mahara with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Pitcher
Born: (1981-12-08) December 8, 1981 (age 42)
Kumamoto, Japan
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
NPB debut
March 30, 2004, for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
Last appearance
May 1, 2015, for the Orix Buffaloes
NPB statistics
(through 2015)
Win–loss record23-31
Earned Run Average2.83
Strikeouts455
Saves182
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Representing  Japan
Men's Baseball
World Baseball Classic
Gold medal – first place 2006 San Diego Team
Gold medal – first place 2009 Los Angeles Team

His best season was in 2007, when Mahara broke the team record for saves by recording 38 and also recording a 1.47 ERA. The previous record-holder was Rodney Pedraza, who had 35 saves in 2000. Mahara did not blow a save until late in the season, when Orix Buffaloes slugger Tuffy Rhodes cracked a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th at Skymark Stadium.

With the exception of the 2008 season when he missed half the season due to injury, Mahara has recorded at least 22 saves each year since 2005.

In 2011, he was in a slump and become losing pitcher in two games in Nippon Series. In 2012, he was injured and he didn't play any games. He was traded to Orix Buffaloes in the off season.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)
  • NPB.com