Masao Fujii

was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was born in Nishi-ku, Fukuoka and raised in Karatsu, Saga.

His uniform number 15 is honored by the Hawks.

Fujii switched to relief pitching in the 1997 season after a lack of results as a starter. He then developed his talent as a relief pitcher with his all-out fastball and a variety of breaking pitches, and in 1999 season, he was part of the winning formula, a powerful setup man who, along with closer Rod Pedraza and left-handed pitchers Shuji Yoshida and Takayuki Shinohara. The presence of these four "winning formula" players led to a 27-14 record in close games played by a single goal margin.

Fujii was called the Flame Relief Pitcher (炎の中継ぎ投手) and in 59 games pitched in the 1999 season, he posted a 3-1 Win-loss record, 2.89 ERA, 3 Saves, and a then new record of 26 Holds, helping the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks to their first league championship. He also won the Pacific League's Best Relief Pitcher Award.

The mascot doll, named Fujii Harry, was displayed in a locker for Fujii in the players' salon of the Fukuoka PayPay Dome at the home stadium, along with a uniform bearing Fujii's name and uniform number 15 of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, even after the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks became the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. Kazumi Saito, who adored Fujii, performed his retirement ceremony with Fujii Harry. Fujii Harry is now with Fujii's bereaved family and Fujii's uniform is on display.

Aisle 15 of the Fukuoka PayPay Dome has been designated as Fujii Gate since 2001 in honor of Fujii's uniform number 15, and a commemorative plaque describing his career and Fujii's last message (beginning with "To everyone" on his personal website) are displayed at the entrance.

Close relationship person Kimiyasu Kudo Kudo was a senior pitcher whom Fujii adored. When Kudo became manager of the Hawks and they became Japan Series champions in the 2015, he reported to Fujii's grave.

Kenichi Wakatabe Wakatabe was Fujii's best friend On October 21, 2000 Wakatabe pitched the first game of the 2000 Japan Series along with Kimiyasu Kudo, who had moved from the Hawks to the Yomiuri Giants the previous year. They pitched with the bones of the deceased Fujii tucked into their uniforms.

Kazumi Saito One of the junior pitchers who admired Fujii, Fujii supported Saito when he was a young pitcher. He later received the Eiji Sawamura Award.

Hiroki Kokubo One of the fielders who adored Fujii. He later served as captain of the Hawks.