Keiichi Sakai

Keiichi Sakai (酒井 圭一)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 193 lb.

• High School Kaisei High School

• Born June 1, 1958 in Iki, Nagasaki Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Keiichi Sakai played in Nippon Pro Baseball for 18 years

Sakai was drafted by the Yakult Swallows in the first round of the 1977 NPB draft, and he had a 6.63 ERA in 6 games in 1977. He went 0-3 with a 6.60 ERA in 1979, and he improved to 4-3 with 4 saves and a 3.11 ERA in 28 games in 1980. However, Sakai's ERA rose to 5.40 in 18 games in 1981, and he only pitched 8 games with a 7.11 ERA in 1982. He struggled again in 1983 as his ERA was 7.45 in 15 games, and he pitched 42 games with a 5.06 ERA in 1984. Sakai only pitched 10 games combined in the next two season, then he recorded a 3.95 ERA in 28 games in 1987. His ERA was 2.86 in 34 relief outings in 1988, but he only pitched 6 more games for the big club before he announced his retirement in 1990. He later became a scout for the Swallows, signing Juri Hara.

Overall, Sakai was 6-12 with a 5.08 ERA, struck out 181 and pitched 351 innings in 18 seasons in NPB.

Sources

• Wiki Japan