Lenn Sakata, baseball player, 1977-1987

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

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

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