Koji Uehara
Former World Series champion Koji Uehara hosts Japanese baseball conversations on YouTube’s Zatsudan Damashii, sharing players’ stories alongside his work as a commentator.
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Latest
Koji’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
YouTube
JBpress Books
MLBOverview
- Born
- April 3, 1975 · Osaka, Japan
- Work
- Baseball interviewer, commentator and former professional pitcher
- Breakout
- 20 wins in his 1999 rookie season with the Yomiuri Giants
- Creator milestone
- Zatsudan Damashii reached one million subscribers in December 2024
Mini bio
How it started.
At Tokai University Gyosei High School, Uehara was an outfielder and backup pitcher. He spent an extra year preparing for university before entering Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, where he focused on pitching. The Giants selected him in the first round of the 1998 draft.
From Japan to Boston.
His 20-win rookie season earned him Rookie of the Year and the Sawamura Award. He later became a World Baseball Classic champion with Japan and a World Series winner with Boston, earning the 2013 ALCS MVP award.
A new way to talk baseball.
After retiring in 2019, Uehara built a second career in broadcasting and YouTube. Zatsudan Damashii brings baseball personalities into relaxed conversations. In a 2024 interview, he explained that an online fan community offered a way to reconnect with supporters across Japan after leaving the field.
In his own words.
His 2019 book OVER reflects on the final years of his playing career, injuries and the decision to retire. It also includes conversations with Yoshinobu Takahashi and Kazuo Matsui.
Creditschronological, newest first
Video and live events
- 2026Zatsudan Damashii: Paul Skenes interviewHost
- 2025Giants Fan Festa Extra Innings: 2002 championship reunionFeatured speaker
Books
- 2019OVER: 結果と向き合う勇気Author
Baseball
- 2013Boston Red Sox World Series championshipCloser
Awards
Quotes
オンラインなら、全国にいる人々とつながれるというのも大きいですよね。Koji Uehara, CANARY interview
In April 2024, discussing his fan community. Translation: Being online also means we can connect with people all over the country.
Trivia
- Before concentrating on pitching at university, he played the outfield as well as serving as a backup pitcher in high school.
- He retired 37 consecutive batters for Boston in 2013.
- OVER includes conversations with two fellow baseball players, Yoshinobu Takahashi and Kazuo Matsui.
Find Koji
Watch his baseball conversations and follow his updates from on and off the field.
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