Toshiaki Sakai

Toshiaki Sakai (酒井 敏明)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.

• School Waseda University
• High School Kuwana High School

• Born January 12, 1934 in Kuwana, Mie Japan
• Died August 15, 2007 in Mitaka, Tokyo Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Catcher Toshiaki Sakai played in Nippon Pro Baseball and for the Japanese national team.

Sakai caught for Japan when they won the 1955 Asian Championship, their first Asian Championship title. The Chunichi Dragons signed him in 1956. Sakai couldn't became their starting catcher due to his weak batting, and mainly play backup to Takeo Yoshizawa. His batting average finally reached .200 in 1958 with a .257/.307/.324 batting line, but he soon slumped to .172/.217/.230 in the next year. Sakai announced his retirement after hitting .233/.258/.300 in 1961.

Overall, Sakai had hit .190/.247/.242 with 3 home runs in 6 seasons in NPB.