Kyuji Fujikawa

2.2.1. Early Career (1999-2003)

Fujikawa's rookie season in 1999 was largely uneventful, with the team prioritizing his physical development in the minor leagues (Western League), where he made only three appearances. A humorous moment occurred during Spring training when he had to miss parts of workouts to attend remedial classes at his high school due to poor grades, a unique situation facilitated by the proximity of the Tigers' Spring training site to his high school in Kochi.

In 2000, he was called up to the ichigun (Japanese equivalent of "major league") team for the first time, making his professional debut in relief on March 31 against the Yokohama BayStars. However, he failed to meet the expectations of the coaching staff. That same year, he married his high school girlfriend, becoming one of the first professional baseball players of his generation to marry.

Under new manager Senichi Hoshino in 2002, Fujikawa changed his uniform number to 92 (a numerical pun on his name, "Kyuji"). He was actively used as a starting pitcher, making 12 starts. He earned his first career win on September 11, holding the Yakult Swallows to one run over eight innings. Despite this, he struggled to establish himself in the starting rotation and did not achieve significant results through 2003. In a notable incident on April 11, 2003, against the Yomiuri Giants, he entered in the 9th inning with a four-run lead but allowed the tying runs, resulting in a tie game. While the team went on a winning streak and secured the league championship, Fujikawa's appearances were limited to 17 games (1 win, 1 loss) that season. He recorded a save in the farm team's Japan Championship, but did not get an opportunity to pitch in the 2003 Japan Series. It was later revealed by then-new manager Akinobu Okada that Fujikawa was on the verge of being released or traded, as few teams would give a high school draftee five years without significant results before the introduction of the developmental player system.

2.2.2. Transition to Reliever

In May 2004, while struggling in the nigun (minor league) team due to a shoulder injury, Fujikawa decided to follow the advice of then-minor league pitching coach Takashi Yamaguchi to completely rebuild his pitching mechanics. This mechanical overhaul, combined with the guidance of his high school senior and ichigun pitching coach Kiyooki Nakanishi, led to his successful conversion to a middle reliever. He was called up to the ichigun in the second half of the season, where he quickly proved his effectiveness, appearing in 26 games, striking out 35 batters in 31 innings pitched with a 2.61 ERA. This marked a pivotal moment that redefined his career trajectory.

2.2.3. Peak and 'JFK' Era

The 2005 season was a breakout year for Fujikawa. He changed his uniform number to 22, expressing his honor to wear the same number as legendary closers Kazuhiro Sasaki and Shingo Takatsu. He became a formidable setup pitcher for the Tigers, forming one of the most dominant relief pitching trios in Japan alongside hard-throwing left-hander Jeff Williams and then-closer Tomoyuki Kubota. This trio earned the iconic nickname JFK (Jeff, Fujikawa, Kubota).

Fujikawa's performance was outstanding; he recorded a professional baseball record of 17 consecutive holds from June 14 to July 20. He was awarded the Central League Monthly MVP for June and received the most fan votes for Central League relief pitcher (excluding closers) for the NPB All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star appearance. On September 9, he recorded his first career save against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

He played an integral role in the Tigers' league title that year, striking out 139 batters in 92.1 innings pitched for a 13.55 strikeouts per 9 innings rate and holding opposing teams to a remarkable 1.36 ERA. On September 29, against the Yomiuri Giants, he set a new NPB record for games pitched in a single season with 79 appearances, extending it to 80 in his final appearance on October 2. (Kubota later broke this record with 90 appearances in 2007.) Fujikawa also led the league with 46 holds, earning his first Most Valuable Setup Pitcher award. He even garnered MVP consideration, though teammate Tomoaki Kanemoto ultimately won the award. In the 2005 Japan Series against the Chiba Lotte Marines, he pitched in Game 3 but allowed a timely double to Tasuku Hashimoto, contributing to the team's eventual four-game sweep.

2.2.4. National Team Appearances

Fujikawa's exceptional performance earned him multiple selections to the Japan national baseball team for international tournaments.

In 2006, he was named to the Japanese national team for the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic. He wore uniform number 24 for the tournament, out of respect for Tomoya Satozaki, who also wore number 22. During the tournament, in a game against the United States, he notably broke Alex Rodriguez's bat with his fastball. However, in the semifinal against South Korea on March 16, he allowed a decisive double to Lee Jong-beom.

He was also selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was designated as one of the three closers, alongside Hitoki Iwase and Koji Uehara, as part of manager Senichi Hoshino's "triple closer" strategy. In the semi-finals against South Korea, he entered in the 7th inning with Japan leading 2-1 but gave up the tying run, ultimately contributing to Japan's failure to secure a medal.

In 2009, Fujikawa was again selected for the 2009 World Baseball Classic, his second appearance in the tournament, wearing uniform number 22. He pitched in four games during the first and second rounds, maintaining a 0.00 ERA. However, his fastball velocity was reportedly down, and he frequently allowed baserunners, leading manager Tatsunori Hara to opt for Yu Darvish as the closer for the semi-finals and finals. Fujikawa did not pitch in Japan's last two games of the tournament. Despite this, he contributed to the team by providing advice to Darvish, who had no prior experience as a closer, on mental and physical preparation. He later vehemently denied media reports that he would retire from the national team due to dissatisfaction with his usage, stating, "I have never said anything to that effect."

2.2.5. Closer Role and Milestones

Following his dominant setup performance, Fujikawa was officially appointed the Hanshin Tigers' closer for the start of the 2007 season. He maintained consistent performance throughout the year, making his third consecutive All-Star appearance. He achieved a significant milestone on September 7, recording his 100th strikeout of the season in a game against the Giants, becoming the first pitcher in Japan to record 100 strikeouts as a reliever in three consecutive seasons. During the Tigers' 10-game win streak in the second half of the season, he pitched in all 10 games, setting a Central League record for most consecutive appearances and earning two wins and seven saves with a 1.80 ERA. On October 3, in the Tigers' last game of the season, Fujikawa recorded his 46th save, tying the NPB record for saves in a single season (shared with Dragons closer Hitoki Iwase) and leading the league in that category for the first time. He finished the year with a 5-5 record in 71 appearances, a 1.63 ERA, and 115 strikeouts in 83.1 innings pitched. Following the season, he applied for the posting system to move to MLB, stating he didn't want to "play next year by lying to myself," but the team rejected his request.

In 2008, Fujikawa continued his dominance over hitters, setting a franchise record with 11 consecutive save conversions to begin the season and accumulating 30 saves by the All-Star break. Despite some struggles, such as giving up a walk-off home run to Lee Byung-kyu on May 4, he remained a reliable closer. After returning from the Beijing Olympics, he often pitched in non-save situations or for multiple innings, demonstrating his versatility. On September 25, he recorded his 100th career save against the BayStars, becoming the 21st pitcher in NPB history to reach this milestone. He finished the year with an 8-1 record, 38 saves (second only to Giants closer Marc Kroon), 90 strikeouts, and a career-best 0.67 ERA in 67.2 innings pitched over 63 appearances. However, in the Climax Series First Stage against Chunichi, he gave up the decisive hit to Tyrone Woods in Game 3, leading to the team's elimination. In the offseason, he signed a contract for 400.00 M JPY, reaffirming his commitment to Hanshin and expressing a strong desire to "defeat the Giants again."

The 2009 season saw Fujikawa with limited appearances in April, going 1-0 with two saves and a 1.29 ERA in only five games. He suffered his first loss of the year on May 2, giving up a game-winning home run to 20-year-old shortstop Hayato Sakamoto. The following day, he reported pain in his right elbow and was removed from the active roster. Although he returned to the ichigun team on May 13, he was charged with his second loss that day after giving up a game-winning RBI double. Despite these early struggles, he finished the season with 5 wins, 3 losses, and 25 saves, achieving 20+ saves for the third consecutive year. In the offseason, he again applied for the posting system to move to MLB, but Hanshin again rejected his request, calling him a "treasure of the baseball world."

In 2010, Fujikawa started the season with 16 consecutive scoreless appearances, showcasing exceptional form. He often pitched multiple innings or filled in as a setup man due to the struggles of other relievers, making 12 appearances of one inning or more. On April 13, at Tokyo Dome against the Giants, he surpassed Kazuyuki Yamamoto's record for career saves with the Hanshin Tigers. He was selected for his sixth consecutive All-Star Game via fan vote. In Game 1 of the All-Star Series, he famously struck out Tomoya Satozaki, Yasuyuki Kataoka, and Hiroyuki Nakajima on 16 pitches, all fastballs. On September 5, he achieved his 150th career save, becoming the 10th pitcher in NPB history to reach this milestone. However, his control wavered in September, as he gave up two go-ahead home runs and frequently faced high-leverage situations. He finished the year with a career-worst 7 home runs allowed, and his 2.01 ERA and 1.08 WHIP were his highest since establishing himself in 2005.

Fujikawa continued his role as closer in 2011. In the first half of the season, he appeared in 26 games with a 0.76 ERA. He was selected for his seventh consecutive All-Star Game via fan vote. In Game 1 of the All-Star Series, he again closed the game for the Central League team, as he had in 2007. On August 25, against the Giants, he recorded his 100th career hold, becoming the first pitcher in NPB history to achieve both 100 saves and 100 holds. On October 21, against the Yokohama BayStars, he reached 40 saves for the first time in four years, ultimately finishing with 41 saves and his second Most Saves title. During the season, he notably gave up walk-off hits three times at Tokyo Dome, to Kazunari Sanematsu, Shigeyuki Furujo, and Daisuke Fujimura. In the offseason, he declined to exercise his domestic free agent rights, signing a one-year contract for 400.00 M JPY plus incentives, with an eye towards exercising his overseas free agency the following year.

In 2012, Fujikawa was named pitching captain for the Hanshin Tigers, alongside position player captain Takashi Toritani, as the team introduced a captain system. Despite a blown save on Opening Day against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, he continued to excel as closer. On April 11, against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, he achieved his 200th career save, becoming the 5th pitcher in NPB history to reach this milestone. In the offseason, he exercised his overseas free agency rights, announcing his intention to pursue a career in Major League Baseball. He stated, "My desire to go to MLB, which I first spoke about in 2007, has remained strong. After considering all possibilities this year, I strongly felt the desire to challenge my long-held goal, and my feelings have not changed." He signed with agents Arn Tellem and Don Nomura to facilitate his move.

2.2.6. Key Milestones and Awards

Throughout his illustrious first stint with the Hanshin Tigers, Kyuji Fujikawa accumulated numerous personal records and accolades, solidifying his status as one of NPB's premier relievers.

He holds the NPB record for 17 consecutive holds, achieved in 2005, and the Hanshin Tigers franchise record for 47.2 innings pitched consecutive scoreless innings. He also set a Central League record with 38 consecutive scoreless games and 10 consecutive appearances (August 30 - September 9, 2007). In 2007, he tied the NPB single-season save record with 46 saves, a Central League record at the time. He became the first pitcher in NPB history to record 100 strikeouts as a reliever in three consecutive seasons (2005-2007). He is also the first pitcher in NPB history to achieve both 150 saves and 150 holds.

His major awards and honors include:

• Most Saves:** 2 times (2007, 2011)
• Most Valuable Setup Pitcher:** 2 times (2005, 2006) - tied for the longest consecutive streak.
• Monthly MVP (Pitcher):** 2 times (June 2005, September 2008)
• Best Battery Award:** 1 time (2005, with catcher Akihiro Yano)
• Best Battery Award Special Prize:** 1 time (2008)
• JA Zen-Noh Go-Go Award (Relief Pitcher):** 1 time (June 2008)
• All-Star Game Outstanding Player Award:** 1 time (2005 Game 2)
• All-Star Game Best Pitcher Award:** 1 time (2005 Game 2)
• Golden Spirit Award:** 1 time (2012)
• Tadashi Wakabayashi Award:** 2nd recipient (2012)
• Yanase Hanshin Tigers MVP Award:** 1 time (2005)
• Sanspo MVP Grand Prize:** 2 times (2006, 2011)
• Sanspo MVP Special Achievement Award:** (2012)
• Best Father Yellow Ribbon Award in "Professional Baseball":** (2008)

He also made 9 All-Star Game appearances (2005-2012, 2019).

2.3.1. Chicago Cubs

On December 2, 2012, Kyuji Fujikawa agreed to terms on a two-year contract with a vesting option for a third year with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. The deal was reportedly worth 9.50 M USD over two years, with the third-year option valued at 5.50 M USD (or 6.00 M USD if a certain number of appearances were met). He was assigned uniform number 11. At his introductory press conference, he stated, "Everything is a challenge. I want to make an effort to produce results."

Fujikawa made his MLB debut on April 1, 2013, earning his first MLB save on just two pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On April 7, he was announced as the new closer for the Cubs, replacing the struggling Carlos Marmol. On April 12, he earned his first MLB win against the San Francisco Giants, despite giving up three runs in the 9th inning, as the Cubs rallied for a walk-off victory. However, he struggled early in the season, allowing six earned runs in 6.1 innings pitched. He was placed on the disabled list on April 13 due to a right forearm injury. He returned to the Cubs roster on May 10, but on May 27, he suffered a recurrence of the elbow injury in a game against the Cincinnati Reds. An MRI revealed a ruptured ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, ending his season. He underwent Tommy John surgery on June 11, which also caused him to miss the start of the 2014 season.

In 2014, Fujikawa began the season on the 15-day disabled list due to his previous surgery, and was later moved to the 60-day disabled list on May 3. He began a rehab assignment with the Class A Kane County Cougars on July 16. Fujikawa made his season debut on August 6, 2014, and made 15 appearances for the Cubs in total, compiling a 4.85 ERA with 17 strikeouts. The Cubs declined his 2015 club option on October 30, making him a free agent.

2.3.2. Texas Rangers

On December 12, 2014, Fujikawa agreed to a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers for 1.00 M USD plus incentives, with a club option for the following year at 2.00 M USD plus incentives. He was assigned uniform number 21.

Fujikawa began the 2015 season on the disabled list due to a right groin strain. He returned on May 14, making his first appearance for the Rangers. However, he made only two appearances, struggling with a 16.20 ERA after giving up three earned runs in 1.2 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment (DFA) on May 17, removing him from the 40-man roster, and was subsequently released by the Rangers organization on May 22, concluding his Major League Baseball career.

2.4.1. Kochi Fighting Dogs

Following his release from the Texas Rangers, Fujikawa's former NPB team, the Hanshin Tigers, reached out to him about a reunion, with some media reports suggesting his return to Hanshin was imminent. However, Fujikawa chose a different path, opting to pitch for his hometown team, the Kochi Fighting Dogs of the Shikoku Island League Plus. His decision was driven by a desire to "give dreams to local children" in Kochi, where he was born and raised. Reports suggested that Hanshin's decision not to pursue him more aggressively was influenced by "severe reports" from former teammates and Hanshin scouts Jeff Williams and Andy Sheets regarding his physical condition.

At his introductory press conference on June 8, 2015, in Kochi City, Fujikawa announced an unusual contract arrangement: he would be unpaid, contracting with the team on a per-game basis, and 10% of the ticket sales from his appearances would be donated to children's welfare facilities. He did not rule out a future return to NPB. There was no formal contract document, and his off-field activities were managed by his agency, Avex Sports. He was assigned uniform number 11.

He made his debut in an exhibition game on June 20, pitching 4 innings and allowing 1 run. By the NPB return deadline of July 31, 2015, he had pitched in three exhibition games but did not sign with any NPB team. Consequently, the Kochi Fighting Dogs signed him for the remainder of the season (including postseason), still under the unpaid, per-game arrangement. On August 6, he made his official league debut but was ejected for a dangerous pitch (hitting a batter in the head) in the first inning. The following day, August 7, he earned his first league win, pitching 5 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts in relief against Ehime. On September 7, in his hometown of Kochi, he pitched his first professional complete game shutout in 15 years (since 2000 in the Western League), allowing just 3 hits. His contract with Kochi was announced to end after the 2015 season on September 10. He missed his final scheduled start due to a left ankle injury, ending his season without further appearances. During his time in Kochi, multiple NPB teams, including Hanshin, DeNA, and Seibu, scouted his performances.

2.4.2. Hanshin Tigers (2nd Stint)

Despite interest from other NPB teams like Chunichi and Yakult, Fujikawa ultimately decided to return to the Hanshin Tigers. This decision was significantly influenced by Hanshin's new manager, Tomoaki Kanemoto, a former teammate, who directly approached Fujikawa with an offer. The agreement was announced on November 14, 2015. He signed a two-year deal for an estimated total of 400.00 M JPY. On November 24, at his re-joining press conference, he was unveiled in uniform number 18, tearfully stating, "I'm ready to collapse at any time," expressing his full commitment.

Initially, Hanshin planned to use Fujikawa as a starting pitcher, especially with the potential return of closer Seung-hwan Oh. Pitching coach Isao Koda specifically requested he prepare as a starter. Kanemoto explained that preparing as a starter would allow for an easier transition to a relief role if needed. However, after Oh's departure in December 2015, Fujikawa indicated his willingness to pitch in any role. Hanshin subsequently acquired Marcos Mateo and Rafael Dolis as closer candidates.

In 2016, Fujikawa continued his adjustment as a starting pitcher through spring training. He made his first NPB appearance since returning in an exhibition game on March 6 against the Giants, pitching 4 innings and allowing 1 run. He earned his first official NPB win since returning on April 3 against DeNA, pitching 6 scoreless innings with 2 hits, marking his first starting win in 4,580 days (since September 19, 2003). However, in his first Koshien start in 14 years on April 10 against Hiroshima, he recorded a career-worst 7 earned runs. Due to his struggles as a starter (1-2 record, 6.12 ERA in 5 starts), he transitioned back to a relief role in mid-May. On May 18, he earned his first save since 2012, filling in for an ill Mateo and Dolis. The following day, May 19, he earned his first relief win since returning. On July 26, at Koshien Stadium, he achieved his 1000th career strikeout (NPB/MLB combined) against Keiji Obiki. As a reliever, he appeared in 38 games, recording 4 wins (4 losses), 3 saves, and 10 holds, with a 3.58 ERA. He notably maintained a 16-game scoreless streak at Koshien. He finished the season with 5 wins, 6 losses, 10 holds, and 3 saves in 43 appearances (5 starts).

In 2017, Fujikawa changed his uniform number back to 22, which he had worn during his peak. He started the season as a setup man. On April 6, he earned his first win of the season in extra innings against Yakult, setting a new Hanshin record for career hold points (155), surpassing Jeff Williams' 154 holds. As Kentarō Kuwahara emerged as the primary setup man, Fujikawa's appearances shifted to higher-leverage or trailing situations. On May 30, against the Chiba Lotte Marines, he achieved his 1000th NPB strikeout against Katsuya Kakunaka, becoming the 146th pitcher in NPB history to do so. His 771.2 innings pitched to reach 1000 K was the fastest in NPB history, significantly surpassing Hideo Nomo's previous record of 871 innings. He finished the regular season with 3 wins, 0 losses, and 6 holds in 52 appearances, with a 2.22 ERA. He did not record a save for the first time since 2004.

In 2018, Fujikawa primarily pitched in middle relief from the start of the regular season. During the interleague play period, he took on setup and closer roles due to a string of injuries in the bullpen. On June 16, he recorded his first save in two years against Rakuten. On July 21, he recorded his 1000th career relief strikeout (1093 total, including starts) against Toshiro Miyazaki, a franchise first for a reliever. On September 5, he achieved a Hanshin Tigers franchise record of 701 career appearances. However, he suffered a right elbow injury in late September, ending his season prematurely. Despite some struggles with unearned runs, he pitched in 53 games, with 5 wins, 3 losses, 2 saves, and 21 holds, with a 2.32 ERA. His fastball velocity notably returned to the 93 mph ^{(150 km/h)} range. Following the season, with Akihiro Yano appointed as the new manager, Fujikawa expressed his intention to fully commit to the closer role for the 2019 season.

In 2019, Fujikawa started the season as a middle reliever but struggled with his conditioning. On April 6, he gave up two home runs in one inning against Hiroshima, leading him to request a demotion to the minor league on April 7. He returned to the ichigun on April 27 and recorded 18 consecutive scoreless appearances until June 11. During this period, on May 8, he set a new Hanshin record with 142 career holds. On June 11, against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, he achieved his 150th career hold, becoming the first pitcher in NPB history to record both 150 saves and 150 holds. He was selected for the All-Star Game as a Central League manager's recommendation, his first All-Star appearance in seven years. In Game 2 on July 13 at Koshien, he pitched a perfect 9th inning using only fastballs. From July 26, he was re-appointed as closer after Rafael Dolis was demoted due to foreign player roster limits. He held the role for the rest of the season. On August 31, he achieved his 235th career save (then the active NPB leader). He finished the regular season with an impressive 4 wins, 1 loss, 16 saves, and 23 holds, with a 1.77 ERA, a 100% save rate, and a 13.34 strikeouts per 9 innings. His strong performance contributed significantly to Hanshin's late-season six-game winning streak and their berth in the Climax Series. His combined NPB/MLB saves reached 243, putting him close to the 250-save threshold for Meikyukai induction. He pitched in four Climax Series games (two in the First Stage and two in the Final Stage), all without allowing a run.

In 2020, Fujikawa was expected to continue as closer following Dolis's departure to the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays. However, he struggled with his conditioning from spring training, similar to the previous year. After the regular season began, he recorded two saves but also had several blown saves. He was placed on the disabled list twice due to right upper limb discomfort. During his second stint on the DL, he reiterated his intention to retire at the end of the season, a request he had initially made in April 2019 but was asked by the team to reconsider. Hanshin announced his retirement on August 31, revealing that his right shoulder condition had worsened to the point of requiring surgery. He held a press conference on September 1, citing the difficulty of maintaining his physical condition for a full season as the primary reason for his retirement. He also expressed a desire to win a third championship with Hanshin, having only experienced two in his 22 years with the team. Fujikawa made his final professional appearance in his retirement game on November 10 against the Giants at Koshien. Entering in the 9th inning with a four-run deficit, he struck out Hayato Sakamoto and Hiroyuki Nakajima consecutively, then got Shinnosuke Shige to fly out, all on fastballs, ending his career on a high note. An emotional retirement ceremony followed, where he thanked fans and staff.