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Koji Uehara finds a home with Red Sox

Boston’s closer owns the ninth inning. If he keeps it up, he’ll own this town.

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  • By almost every statistical measure, Koji Uehara has been the best relief pitcher in the American League.
    Barry Chin/Globe Staff
    By almost every statistical measure, Koji Uehara has been the best relief pitcher in the American League.
  • He got his start in college and worked his way to games like the World Baseball Classic in 2006.
    Stephen Dunn/Getty Images/File 2006
    He got his start in college and worked his way to games like the World Baseball Classic in 2006.
  • Former Red Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler played with Uehara for the Yomiuri Giants in 2005.
    Koji Sasahara/AP/File 2002
    Former Red Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler played with Uehara for the Yomiuri Giants in 2005.
  • "He was the Greg Maddux of Japan, somebody with great control," said Kapler, now an analyst for Fox Sports 1.
    Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images/File 2006
    "He was the Greg Maddux of Japan, somebody with great control," said Kapler, now an analyst for Fox Sports 1.
  • Barry Bonds held his bat upside down after he was struck out by Uehara during the opening game of the Japan-US all-star baseball series.
    Shizuo Kambayashi/AP/File 2002
    Barry Bonds held his bat upside down after he was struck out by Uehara during the opening game of the Japan-US all-star baseball series.
  • Those experiences only added to Uehara's desire to play in the majors.
    Shizuo Kambayashi/AP/File 2002
    Those experiences only added to Uehara's desire to play in the majors.
  • Uehara came to Major League Baseball when he signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
    Greg Fiume/Getty Images/File 2009
    Uehara came to Major League Baseball when he signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
  • "As a teammate, I think he was one of the best teammates I ever had," said Orioles center fielder Adam Jones.
    Rob Carr/Getty Images/File 2011
    "As a teammate, I think he was one of the best teammates I ever had," said Orioles center fielder Adam Jones.
  • Uehara was traded to the Texas Rangers. His wife and son live in Baltimore during the season and often for a few weeks after.
    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/File 2011
    Uehara was traded to the Texas Rangers. His wife and son live in Baltimore during the season and often for a few weeks after.
  • When the Red Sox offered him a one-year contract worth $4.25 million, he took it.
    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/file 2011
    When the Red Sox offered him a one-year contract worth $4.25 million, he took it.
  • Only in recent weeks have the souvenir stands at Fenway Park sold T-shirts bearing his name and No. 19.
    Barry Chin/Globe Staff/file
    Only in recent weeks have the souvenir stands at Fenway Park sold T-shirts bearing his name and No. 19.
  • For now, the only thing that matters to him is continuing this unprecedented run.
    JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF
    For now, the only thing that matters to him is continuing this unprecedented run.
  • "I can't lose focus on what I'm doing," he said. "I think about the next pitch, the next batter. That's it."
    Winslow Townson/Getty Images/File 2013
    "I can't lose focus on what I'm doing," he said. "I think about the next pitch, the next batter. That's it."
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