Lenn Sakata
Born: 6/8/1954 in Honolulu, HI, USA
MLB Debut: 1977-07-21 | Final Game: 1987-06-28
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 160 lbs
Full name: Lenn Haruki Sakata
Biography
Lenn Sakata, born in 1954, was a versatile position player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1977 until 1987. Over the course of his career, he played in 565 games, primarily serving as an infielder and outfielder. Known for his speed on the bases, Sakata recorded 30 stolen bases, contributing to his team's offensive strategies during a time when speed was an essential component of the game. He finished his career with 296 hits, 25 home runs, and 109 RBIs, achieving a batting average of .230.
Sakata's playing career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, which included the introduction of more specialized roles and a growing emphasis on athleticism. While he may not have been a household name, his contributions in key moments and his ability to adapt to various positions on the field underscored his value as a reliable teammate. After retiring in 1987, Sakata left behind a legacy characterized by grit and versatility, reflecting the evolving nature of baseball in the late 20th century.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 565 | 1289 | 163 | 296 | 46 | 4 | 25 | 109 | 30 | 97 | 158 | 0.230 | 0.286 | 0.330 | 0.616 | -3296.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | ATL | AL | 53 | 154 | 13 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 22 | 0.162 | -1138.1 |
| 1978 | ATL | AL | 30 | 78 | 8 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 0.192 | -336.9 |
| 1979 | ATL | AL | 4 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.500 | 0.0 |
| 1980 | BAL | AL | 43 | 83 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 0.193 | -340.6 |
| 1981 | BAL | AL | 61 | 150 | 19 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 18 | 0.227 | -209.9 |
| 1982 | BAL | AL | 136 | 343 | 40 | 89 | 18 | 1 | 6 | 31 | 7 | 30 | 39 | 0.259 | -173.3 |
| 1983 | BAL | AL | 66 | 134 | 23 | 34 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 0.254 | 29.7 |
| 1984 | BAL | AL | 81 | 157 | 23 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 0.191 | -925.3 |
| 1985 | BAL | AL | 55 | 97 | 15 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 0.227 | -201.8 |
| 1986 | OAK | AL | 17 | 34 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0.353 | 0.0 |
| 1987 | NYY | AL | 19 | 45 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.267 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | WS | BAL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 431 | 259 | 601 | 908 | 28 | 216 |
| 3B | 12 | 12 | 3 | 23 | 2 | 1 |
| C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 102 | 82 | 128 | 261 | 16 | 50 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | ML4 | 2B | 53 | 50 | 102 | 159 | 4 | 43 |
| 1978 | ML4 | 2B | 29 | 24 | 50 | 66 | 3 | 12 |
| 1979 | ML4 | 2B | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 0 | 5 |
| 1980 | BAL | 2B | 34 | 20 | 55 | 72 | 2 | 18 |
| 1980 | BAL | SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1981 | BAL | 2B | 20 | 9 | 30 | 42 | 1 | 10 |
| 1981 | BAL | SS | 42 | 32 | 52 | 106 | 6 | 23 |
| 1982 | BAL | 2B | 83 | 44 | 106 | 145 | 6 | 34 |
| 1982 | BAL | SS | 56 | 50 | 76 | 154 | 10 | 27 |
| 1983 | BAL | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | BAL | 2B | 60 | 36 | 84 | 117 | 2 | 36 |
| 1984 | BAL | 2B | 76 | 38 | 80 | 161 | 3 | 33 |
| 1984 | BAL | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | BAL | 2B | 50 | 22 | 58 | 87 | 6 | 18 |
| 1986 | OAK | 2B | 16 | 10 | 21 | 39 | 1 | 4 |
| 1987 | NYA | 2B | 6 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| 1987 | NYA | 3B | 12 | 12 | 3 | 23 | 2 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 1 |
| Second Base | 431 |
| Third Base | 12 |
| Shortstop | 103 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Designated Hitter | 8 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | NYA | AL | $125,000 |
| 1986 | OAK | AL | $75,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $200,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga University | Spokane | WA | 1973, 1974 |
| Treasure Valley Community College | Ontario | OR | 1972 |