Kazuhiro Sasaki

Kazuhiro "Daimajin" Sasaki (佐々木主浩 Sasaki Kazuhiro, born February 22, 1968 in Sendai, Japan) is one of the top relief pitchers from Japan. He throws and bats right-handed.

Related Topics:
February 22 - 1968 - Sendai - Japan - Relief pitcher

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Sasaki played for the Yokohama BayStars in the Japan's Central League from 1990-99 before joining the Seattle Mariners in 2000, when he was named the American League Rookie of the Year. He decided to leave the Mariners before the last year of his contract in 2004 giving up 8.5 million dollars, in order to be with his family in Japan.

Related Topics:
Yokohama BayStars - Central League - Seattle Mariners - 2000 - American League Rookie of the Year

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Sasaki resumed his career with the Bay Stars upon returning to Japan. Unfortunately for him, nagging injuries resulted in his release from Yokohama and subsequent retirement. His last official appearance came against the Tokyo Giants on August 9, 2005, as he struck out his longtime friend and rival Kazuhiro Kiyohara in a game played at Fullcast Stadium Miyagi in his hometown.

Related Topics:
Tokyo Giants - August 9 - 2005 - Kazuhiro Kiyohara - Fullcast Stadium Miyagi

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Besides winning the AL Rookie of the Year, Sasaki set several Japanese professional baseball records, including saves (45) and save opportunities (46) for a single season in 1998; and played twice in the All-Star game for the American League, and was selected to the All-Star team eight times while in Japan.

Related Topics:
1998 - All-Star game

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Sasaki's interest in sports extend outside of baseball. In 2002 and 2003, he lent his name and his pocketbook to Formula Nippon, an auto racing series in Japan. His Team 22 won two races in that time. He is known to wear a half sleeved shirt no matter what the weather is. He has also appeared as a judge on the Iron Chef television program.

Related Topics:
2002 - 2003 - Formula Nippon - Auto racing - Iron Chef

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