| Takashi Saito | |
|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: February 14, 1970 Sendai, Miyagi, Japan |
|
| Bats: Left | Throws: Right |
| Professional debut | |
| NPB: April 7, 1992 for the Yokohama Taiyo Whales | |
| MLB: April 9, 2006 for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| NPB statistics | |
| Wins–losses | 87–80 |
| Earned run average | 3.80 |
| Strikeouts | 1,284 |
| Saves | 48 |
| MLB statistics (through 2011) |
|
| Wins–losses | 21–15 |
| Earned run average | 2.18 |
| Strikeouts | 389 |
| Saves | 84 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Takashi Saito (斎藤 隆 Saitō Takashi, born February 14, 1970 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball player who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks.[1]
Saito previously pitched for the Yokohama BayStars in the Japanese Central League, compiling a record of 87–80 over 13 seasons. A closer in his initial season of 2006, Saito finished 8th place in the National League Cy Young Award voting, receiving a single third place vote.[2]
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Saito played for Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai during his college years alongside players such as former Seattle Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki and current Hanshin Tigers outfielder Tomoaki Kanemoto. 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 and had to undergo surgery, subsequently spending the rest of the season rehabbing. He came back in 1998, winning 13 games while posting a 2.94 ERA. His team, the 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 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 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 his 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. After stepping into the closer role recently vacated by fan favorite Éric Gagné, he recorded 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 to be 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 one of 10 finalists for the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award.
Saito had his first career major league at-bat on April 23, 2008. On July 18, 2008, Saito was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained ligament in his elbow. He was activated on September 13.
The Dodgers did not offer Saito a contract after the 2008 season and he became a free agent.[4]
On January 10, 2009, Saito signed a one-year $1.5 (+6) million contract with the Boston Red Sox with a team option for 2010.[5] He was 3–3 with a 2.53 ERA in 56 games with the Red Sox, primarily as a setup man, in 2009 (final salary: $6 million[6]).
Saito signed a one-year $3.2 million contract with the Atlanta Braves on December 3, 2009.[7] Saito was released by the Atlanta Braves following the 2010 season, even though he did not have enough MLB experience to qualify for free agency, as stipulated by his contract.[8] Saito signed a translator, Kosuke Inaji, for the 2009–2010 season.[9]
After the 2010 season, Saito signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers for about $3 million.[10][11] Kosuke Inaji retains his position from last year as Saito's translator.[9]
In 2011, he was 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA, and was the third-oldest player in the National League.[12]
On December 12, 2011, Saito signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Jon Heyman.[13]