Former Lotte Takashi Ogino has been transferred to a powerful Czech League team. The 40-year-old veteran will take on an overseas challenge… The team officially announced this, but warned it would be “shocking news” the day before.
Sports Hochi
January 19, 2026 16:00
Takashi Ogino outfielder (40), who left Lotte at the end of last season, will move to Czech baseball “Drač Brno,” the team’s official SNS announced on April 19. The team had announced the announcement of the “shocking news” the day before at 8 a.m. local time on the same day, saying, “We have completed one of the most important transfers in the history of the Czech Republic baseball. The club proudly announces the addition of Takashi Ogino a player who is a long-time star of the Japanese professional baseball and one of the leading lead-off men of his generation”.
Ogino commented through the team, “I have spent my entire professional career in Japan, so moving to Brno is a new and very exciting challenge for me. I was strongly attracted to Drach Brno’s win culture and its drive to reach the top. I would like to bring my experience, play to my full potential every day, and help the team move closer to its history.”
Dráči Brno is a member of the Extraliga, which is made up of eight teams. Last season, they won their 26th championship, their fourth consecutive year. With three championships, they are far ahead of the two teams tied for second place, boasting overwhelming strength, and Ogino will be joining the team.
Ogino attended Koriyama High School in Nara, Kwansei Gakuin University, and Toyota Motor Corporation before joining the Lotte Marines as the first pick in the 2009 draft. He made his professional debut on March 20, 2010, against Seibu Lions (Seibu Lions D). He has played in 1,146 NPB games, hitting 49 Home Run, 320 RBI, 260 stolen base, and batting .283. Last season was the first time in his 16 years as a professional that he did not get a chance to play in the first team.
This offseason, he turned down an offer from the team to become a coach, choosing to continue playing. On December 5th of last year, he revealed that he was considering trying his hand at playing overseas, saying, “I want to stick to playing (including overseas). It would also be a good experience.” The 40-year-old veteran, showing no signs of slowing down, is thriving in his new environment.