Takashi Saito

#40 Takashi Saito
- Relief Pitcher
Bats: Right	Throws: Left
Height: 6'1	Weight: 202 lbs
Born on February 14, 1970 in Miyagi, Japan
MLB Debut
April 9, 2006 for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Draft
Picked no. N/A in round N/A of the N/A draft by the not drafted.
Career Statistics
Updated June 1, 2022
Saves	84
ERA	2.34
Strikeouts	400
Teams
Yokohama Taiyo Whales / Yokohama BayStars (1992–1996, 1998–2005) Los Angeles Dodgers (2006–2008) Boston Red Sox (2009) Atlanta Braves (2010) Milwaukee Brewers (2011) Arizona Diamondbacks (2012) Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2013–2015)
Career Highlights and Awards
1x MLB All-Star (2007)

Takashi Saito (斎藤 隆, Saitō Takashi^?, born February 14, 1970 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. His nicknames include "Sammy", bestowed upon him by outfielder Andre Ethier, and "The Mole", due to the holes he digs in the pitcher's 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). This success also resulted in an 8th place finish in the National League Cy Young Award, receiving a single third place vote.

Career

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 and had to undergo surgery, subsequently spending the rest of the season rehabbing. He cameback 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.

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 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 to be the all-time record for a Japanese-born Major League pitcher. 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 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.

Saito was not tendered a contract prior to the 2009 season and became a free agent.

Boston Red Sox

On January 10, 2009, Saito signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox with a team option for 2010. He spent the season as the Red Sox primary set-up man, as well as spelling closer Jonathan Papelbon from time to time. He finished the season with a 2.43 ERA and 2 saves. After the season, the Red Sox declined his $6 million option and he became a free agent.

Atlanta Braves

Saito signed a one-year $3.2 million contract with the Atlanta Braves on December 3, 2009. He will act as the set-up man for former Red Sox teammate Billy Wagner.

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 played especially well against Saito, hitting over 15 home runs off him in Japan.

Statistics

Japanese Professional Leagues

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

Season by Season
Last update: 26 July 2008

Year	Team	Age	GP	W	L	S	IP	ER	K	ERA
1992	Yokohama Taiyo Whales	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
2008	Los Angeles Dodgers	38	39	3	3	17	41.1	11	53	2.18

*Bold = led league

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube