Where are they now? The Big Island’s first major league player, Masaoka’s favorite pitch remains the same today: Being of service

Onan Masaoka

Onan Masaoka played Major League baseball for the Dodgers in 1999 and 2000, but these days he’s just as happy as a program director with the county’s Elderly Recreation division. (Kelsey Walling/Hawaii Tribune-Herald)

Onan Masaoka was the pride of Hilo and the state when he pitched in 83 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1999 and 2000 before retiring at 24 years old in 2002.