Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress
Sayonara Sakai-san
Angels Retire #41 in His Honor
Angels Retire #41 in His Honor
Toshikuni Sakai, nicknamed "Black Jack" for his pitch black bat he swung during games, called it a career at age 45.
Before the "Japanese Invasion" began in earnest, Sakai was one of the Japanese players that laid the groundwork. His signing caused a crush of Japanese media to decend on Anaheim, and both ballplayers and baseball fans in Japan got another look at what life can be like in MLB.
"He caused as much of a stir as Ohtani, honestly, " Angels G.M. Yarrow commented, "It was amazing to see and took me by surprise."
Sakai was known for his bat, both it's color and it's thump. He hit 56 home runs in his first season and then topped that with 64 the next. After a couple "down" years with 41 and 45 home runs, he jumped back up to 65 in the 2031 season, his career best.
Sakai became a free agent in 2035, signing with the Dodgers. The home runs were down as he progressed into his mid-30's, but he was still launching at least 30 every year. An injury-shortened 2040 campaign broke the string of 30+ home run seasons, and he was traded to the Red Sox.
He signed with the Giants as a free agent and hit 20 HR at age 40. He was selected in the expansion draft by the Vancouver but was released by the team in the 2041 offseason.
Sakai went back to Japan and signed a series of one year contracts with various teams. He retired after winning the NPB Championship with the Dragons.
In his time with the Angels, Sakai hit 480 home runs in 5,441 at-bats. He batted .310 with a 1.037 OPS (173 OPS+). He earned 63.3 WAR in that span.
In his career, Sakai has 633 home runs in 7,954 at-bats. His career line is .292/.383/.587, good for a .980 OPS and a 160 OPS+ and 157 wRC+.
For a power hitter, he made a good deal of contact. He struck out in only 17% of his plate appearances for his career.
His posteason performance was equally impressive. He posted a 1.007 OPS in the playoffs in 497 at-bats.
Before the "Japanese Invasion" began in earnest, Sakai was one of the Japanese players that laid the groundwork. His signing caused a crush of Japanese media to decend on Anaheim, and both ballplayers and baseball fans in Japan got another look at what life can be like in MLB.
"He caused as much of a stir as Ohtani, honestly, " Angels G.M. Yarrow commented, "It was amazing to see and took me by surprise."
Sakai was known for his bat, both it's color and it's thump. He hit 56 home runs in his first season and then topped that with 64 the next. After a couple "down" years with 41 and 45 home runs, he jumped back up to 65 in the 2031 season, his career best.
Sakai became a free agent in 2035, signing with the Dodgers. The home runs were down as he progressed into his mid-30's, but he was still launching at least 30 every year. An injury-shortened 2040 campaign broke the string of 30+ home run seasons, and he was traded to the Red Sox.
He signed with the Giants as a free agent and hit 20 HR at age 40. He was selected in the expansion draft by the Vancouver but was released by the team in the 2041 offseason.
Sakai went back to Japan and signed a series of one year contracts with various teams. He retired after winning the NPB Championship with the Dragons.
In his time with the Angels, Sakai hit 480 home runs in 5,441 at-bats. He batted .310 with a 1.037 OPS (173 OPS+). He earned 63.3 WAR in that span.
In his career, Sakai has 633 home runs in 7,954 at-bats. His career line is .292/.383/.587, good for a .980 OPS and a 160 OPS+ and 157 wRC+.
For a power hitter, he made a good deal of contact. He struck out in only 17% of his plate appearances for his career.
His posteason performance was equally impressive. He posted a 1.007 OPS in the playoffs in 497 at-bats.
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