Jumbo Ozaki

Masashi Ozaki (尾崎 正司) (Jumbo)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 176 lb.

• High School Tokushima Kainan High School

• Born January 24, 1947 in Kaifu-gun, Tokushima

BR register page

Biographical Information

Masashi Ozaki was the star pitcher on the Tokushima Kainan High School squad that won the 36th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament. He signed with the Nishitetsu Lions and was 0-1 with a 4.85 ERA in 17 appearances as a rookie in 1965. The next year, he allowed six hits to sixteen batters faced and had a 3.86 ERA in 2 1/3 innings but three of the four runs he allowed were unearned. He ended his pitching career with a 0-1, 4.83 line.

Ozaki was converted to the outfield in 1967 and only went 2 for 42 with a double, 4 walks and 24 strikeouts. His career batting line was .043/.120/.065.

After retiring from baseball, Ozaki became a golfer, one of the greatest in the history of the Japan Golf Tour. He led the money list 12 times between 1973 and 1998 and won 94 tournaments. He finished 8th in the Masters in 1973 and sixth in the US Open in 1989.

In October of 2005, Ozaki declared bankruptcy, with debts of 1.6 billion yen (approximately $14.16 million dollars). In 2011, he made the World Golf Hall of Fame.