From Newsweek · Jon Paul Hoornstra · · 1m 20s
Brian Wolfe, former Blue Jays pitcher, dies at 45
The late-blooming pitcher found stardom in Japan after a modest MLB career.
In brief
The late-blooming pitcher found stardom in Japan after a modest MLB career. Brian Wolfe became a successful pitcher in Japan's professional league after struggling in the American minor leagues, eventually playing alongside Shohei Ohtani. Originally reported by Newsweek.
Former Blue Jays pitcher dies
Brian Wolfe, who played for Toronto from 2007 to 2009, died on September 15 at age 45 after a difficult illness, according to his wife Rachell.
“I'm sorry to write this but after a really really difficult and torturous battle Brian Wolfe passed away early this morning.”
Drafted by Minnesota in 1999
The Fullerton native was selected in the sixth round of the 1999 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins and signed a $125,000 bonus deal.
Six years in the minors
Wolfe spent six years in the Twins' system, reaching Triple-A but never breaking through to the majors before being released in May 2005.
Late bloomer with Toronto
At 26, Wolfe joined the Blue Jays in 2006 and made his MLB debut in May 2007, appearing in 38 games that season with a 2.98 ERA.
Star pitcher in Japan
After leaving Toronto in 2009, Wolfe signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters and became a star, starting 77 games from 2010 to 2013 with a 35-29 record.
Played alongside Ohtani
Wolfe's final season with the Fighters in 2013 was Shohei Ohtani's first year in professional baseball. Wolfe retired in 2018 with a 56-40 record in Japan.
The headline
Brian Wolfe became a successful pitcher in Japan's professional league after struggling in the American minor leagues, eventually playing alongside Shohei Ohtani.
