Shigetaka Sato

Shigetaka Sato (佐藤 滋孝)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 182 lb.

• Born October 30, 1955 in Brazil

BR register page

Biographical Information

Shigetaka Sato was one of the first pro baseball players from Brazil (the first?), spending a couple years in Nippon Pro Baseball. His brother Mitsuyoshi Sato starred for the Brazilian national team and later managed them, while nephews Estevão Sato, Reinaldo Sato and Renan Sato all played for Brazil.

Shigetaka played for Nihon Gakki in the Japanese industrial leagues. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Hankyu Braves. He was 1 for 8 with a walk as a backup outfielder in 1980 and hit .200/.265/.267 in 49 plate appearances over 35 games in 1981. He tried to break up a bar fight in early 1982 and was blinded in his right eye, ending his career.

Sources

• Defunct Japan Baseball Daily site
• Japanese Wikipedia