John Sipin

John White Sipin

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1½", Weight 175 lb.
• School Cabrillo College
• High School Watsonville High School
• Debut May 24, 1969
• Final Game August 27, 1969
• Born August 29, 1946 in Watsonville, CA USA

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Biographical Information

John Sipin hit 218 home runs during 9 years in Japan while playing for the Taiyo Whales and Yomiuri Giants. He was in the majors for one season at the age of 22, posting a line of .223/.251/.319 in 68 games, which was similar to the team's line of .225/.285/.329 with the San Diego Padres during their inaugural season in 1969. John also had two good years in AAA ball (1970-1971), hitting over .300 with 20 home runs each year, right before he left for Japan.

His two career triples were hit in his first major-league game - in his first two at-bats.

John got into real estate during his years in Japan, and then became a real estate agent in the USA in the Santa Cruz, CA area.

"When he cut his hair, Taiyo officials told him they preferred his wild side and encouraged him to grow it back. When he did, he was given the nickname “Lion Maru” . . ." - from an article about John Sipin's attire and hair while in Japan [1]