Shane Komine
Encyclopedia
Shane Kenji Komine is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He made his major league debut against the Toronto Blue Jays
on July 30, (6 IP, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K). He is the third American-born player of full Japanese ancestry in major league history, after Ryan Kurosaki
and Lenn Sakata
.
in Honolulu in 1998. He attended the University of Nebraska with a major in Physics from 1999–2002 and became the Cornhuskers' ace
pitcher. After going 10-0 his senior year of , he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics
in the 9th round of the notorious "Moneyball" draft. While at Nebraska, Komine was a teammate of former A's first baseman
Dan Johnson.
, having moderate success. An impressive run through July 2006 with Triple-A Sacramento
earned him a call-up to the A's on July 26, replacing Sacramento teammate Jason Windsor
.
On July 17, , Komine got into a game in the 8th inning against the Texas Rangers
with fellow Hawaiian Kurt Suzuki
doing the catching. This marked the first time in Major League Baseball history that there was a battery where both the players were from Hawaii.
He is the 19th pitcher from Hawaii
to have played in the major leagues and third player from Hawaii to play for the A's, after Ron Darling
and Lenn Sakata
. His fellow teammate on the 2007 A's, Kurt Suzuki
is also from Hawaii.
In 2009, Komine played for the independent Newark Bears
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He made his major league debut against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on July 30, (6 IP, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K). He is the third American-born player of full Japanese ancestry in major league history, after Ryan Kurosaki
Ryan Kurosaki
Ryan Yoshitomo Kurosaki , was a professional baseball pitcher in for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the first Asian-American to play Major League Baseball.-External links:...
and Lenn Sakata
Lenn Sakata
Lenn Haruki Sakata is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility player from 1977–1987 and was a member of the Baltimore Orioles 1983 World Series Championship team. He was the second Asian American to play Major League Baseball. He is Yonsei...
.
Amateur career
Komine graduated from Kalani High SchoolKalani High School
Kalani High School is a WASC-accredited four-year public high school located in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Kalani is a part of the Hawaii Department of Education. Kalani is located on Kalanianaole Highway....
in Honolulu in 1998. He attended the University of Nebraska with a major in Physics from 1999–2002 and became the Cornhuskers' ace
Ace (baseball)
In baseball, an ace is the best starting pitcher of any team and nearly always the first pitcher in his starting rotation. Barring injury or exceptional circumstances, an ace usually always starts on Opening Day...
pitcher. After going 10-0 his senior year of , he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in the 9th round of the notorious "Moneyball" draft. While at Nebraska, Komine was a teammate of former A's first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Dan Johnson.
Professional career
Komine spent the majority of his first pro years with the Double-A Midland RockHoundsMidland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats...
, having moderate success. An impressive run through July 2006 with Triple-A Sacramento
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
earned him a call-up to the A's on July 26, replacing Sacramento teammate Jason Windsor
Jason Windsor
Jason David Windsor is a right-handed former major-league pitcher. He was called up July 16, 2006 to make his major-league debut against the Baltimore Orioles.-High school career:...
.
On July 17, , Komine got into a game in the 8th inning against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
with fellow Hawaiian Kurt Suzuki
Kurt Suzuki
is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Oakland Athletics.-College career:Suzuki played at Cal State Fullerton. Cal State Fullerton captured the 2004 College World Series championship, thanks to Suzuki's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the Titans a 3-2 win over the...
doing the catching. This marked the first time in Major League Baseball history that there was a battery where both the players were from Hawaii.
He is the 19th pitcher from Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
to have played in the major leagues and third player from Hawaii to play for the A's, after Ron Darling
Ron Darling
Ronald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
and Lenn Sakata
Lenn Sakata
Lenn Haruki Sakata is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility player from 1977–1987 and was a member of the Baltimore Orioles 1983 World Series Championship team. He was the second Asian American to play Major League Baseball. He is Yonsei...
. His fellow teammate on the 2007 A's, Kurt Suzuki
Kurt Suzuki
is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Oakland Athletics.-College career:Suzuki played at Cal State Fullerton. Cal State Fullerton captured the 2004 College World Series championship, thanks to Suzuki's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the Titans a 3-2 win over the...
is also from Hawaii.
In 2009, Komine played for the independent Newark Bears
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
.