Takashi Saito

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the baseball player. For the sumo wrestler, see Takashi Saito (sumo wrestler).

**Takashi Saito**

Los Angeles Dodgers — No. 44
Closing Pitcher
Born: February 14, 1970 (1970-02-14) (age 38)
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
April 9, 2006 for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Win-Loss	8-3
Saves	63
Earned Run Average	1.77
Strikeouts	185
Teams
Yokohama BayStars (1992-2005) Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-present)

Takashi Saito (斎藤隆, Saitō Takashi^?, born February 14, 1970 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is an All-Star relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is currently the team's closer, having played that role since 2006. His nicknames include "Sammy", bestowed upon him by outfielder Andre Ethier, and "The Mole", due to the holes he digs in the pitchers mound using his cleats.

Saito previously pitched for the Yokohama BayStars in the Japanese Central League, compiling a record of 87-80 over 13 seasons. His success as a closer down the stretch in the 2006 season resulted in an 8th place finish in National League Rookie of the Year award, receiving two third place votes (Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez won the award).^[1] This success also resulted in an 8th place finish in the National League Cy Young Award, receiving a single third place vote.^[2]

1 Career
- 1.1 Japan
- 1.2 Los Angeles Dodgers
2 Pitching Style
3 Statistics
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Career

[edit] Japan

Saito attended Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai, the same school former Seattle Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki attended. Saito was originally a position player, but he became a pitcher in his second year in college. He was drafted in the first round by the Yokohama Taiyo Whales in 1991. He was an all-star a total of four times while in Japan (1994, 1996, 1999, 2001), and he led the Central League in strikeouts with 206 in 1996. He was found to have a dislocated cartilage in his right elbow in the spring of 1997. He had to undergo surgery after dislocated cartilage was found in his right elbow in the spring of 1997, and subsequently spent the rest of the season in rehab. He cameback in 1998, winning 13 games while posting a 2.94 ERA. His team, the Yokohama BayStars, also won the Japanese championship series for the second time in 38 years that year. He became the teams closer after incumbent Kazuhiro Sasaki left the BayStars to join the Seattle Mariners in 2000. His record was 7-1 with 27 saves, and a 1.67 ERA in 2001. Saito returned to his starting role in 2003, but did not win more than 6 games in a season between 2003 and 2005.

Saito (far right) with fellow Dodgers pitchers Esteban Loaiza, Scott Proctor, Jonathan Broxton and Joe Beimel in 2008.
Photo by Chris Nelson

[edit] Los Angeles Dodgers

Saito signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a 36-year-old rookie in 2006, and surprised fans by making 24 saves, posting a 2.07 ERA, and striking out 107 batters (the most among relievers). He made first Major League Appearance on April 9, 2006 against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched 2/3 of an inning without giving up any runs or hits. He soon stepped in the the closer role recently vacated by fan favorite Eric Gagné, recording his first Major League Save on May 15, 2006 against the Colorado Rockies.

Saito threw a 159 km/h (99 mph) fastball on June 26, 2007, which is claimed the all-time record for a Japanese-born Major League pitcher.^[3] He was named to the National League All-Star team for the first time in 2007. He was also named closer of the month for August 2007.

On September 25, 2007, Saito was named as one of 10 finalist for the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award.

Saito had his first career major league at bat on April 23, 2008.

[edit] Pitching Style

Saito has three pitches: a tight fastball in the low to mid 90 mph range (which tops out at about 97 mph, but normally goes around 93), a sharp slider that he uses as a strikeout pitch, and a slow curveball that he uses as a sort of changeup. While playing as a starter in Japan, Saito had a tendency to give up a lot of home runs on pitches up in the strike zone. Hideki Matsui (currently on the New York Yankees) played especially well against Saito, hitting over 15 home runs off him in Japan.

Much of Saito's current success comes from the exceptional control he has of his pitches. Saito is now able to throw his sharp slider off the outside part of the plate for strikes, and his deceptive pitching forms causes hitters to be late on his fastball. Saito has also experimented with a shuuto (shootball), which he developed while playing in Japan.

[edit] Statistics

Major Leagues (2006 Season)

72 Games
6 Wins
2 Losses
24 Saves
107 Strikeouts
2.07 ERA

Japanese Professional Leagues

339 Games
87 Wins
80 Losses
48 Saves
1284 Strikeouts
3.80 ERA

Season by Season
Last update: 24 August 2007

Year	Team	Age	GP	W	L	S	IP	ER	K	ERA
1992	Yokohama BayStars	22	6	0	2	0	16.0	15	21	8.44
1993	Yokohama BayStars	23	29	8	10	0	149.0	63	125	3.81
1994	Yokohama BayStars	24	28	9	12	0	181.0	63	169	3.13
1995	Yokohama BayStars	25	26	8	9	0	162.0	71	132	3.94
1996	Yokohama BayStars	26	28	10	10	0	196.2	72	206	3.29
1997	Yokohama BayStars	27	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1998	Yokohama BayStars	28	34	13	5	1	143.2	47	101	2.94
1999	Yokohama BayStars	29	26	14	3	0	184.2	81	125	3.95
2000	Yokohama BayStars	30	19	6	10	0	115.2	71	97	5.52
2001	Yokohama BayStars	31	50	7	1	27	64.2	12	60	1.67
2002	Yokohama BayStars	32	39	1	2	20	47.2	13	46	2.45
2003	Yokohama BayStars	33	17	6	7	0	103.1	48	72	4.18
2004	Yokohama BayStars	34	16	2	5	0	44.1	38	37	7.71
2005	Yokohama BayStars	35	21	3	4	0	106.0	45	93	3.82
2006	Los Angeles Dodgers	36	72	6	2	24	78.1	18	107	2.07
2007	Los Angeles Dodgers	37	63	2	1	39	64.1	10	78	1.40