Japanese baseball player and coach
Baseball player
Masahiro Sakumoto (佐久本 昌広, Sakumoto Masahiro, born July 15, 1974) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher, and current the third squad pitching coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[1]
He previously played for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, the Hanshin Tigers, and the Yokohama BayStars.[2][3]
Professional career
Active player era
On November 22, 1995, Sakumoto was drafted fourth round pick by the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in the 1995 Nippon Professional Baseball draft.[4]
Sakumoto had been active as a setup man since his rookie year, pitched in 73 games in the 1996 and 1997 seasons.[2]
In 1998 season, Sakumoto pitched as a starting pitcher and recorded a record of 6-2 win–loss record and a one Saves.[2]
He played seven seasons with the Hawks, but was traded to the Hanshin Tigers exchange to Masashi Matsuda in the off-season of 2002.[2]
He pitched in only 10 games in three seasons with the Tigers and was released in the off-season of 2005.[2]
In 2006 season, Sakumoto transferred to the Yokohama BayStars and pitched in 21 games as a relief pitcher, recorded 0-0 win–loss record, and an ERA of 3.86.[2]
In 2007 season, Sakumoto announced his retirement.
Sakumoto pitched in 183 games in 11 seasons overall, compiling with a 19-24 win–loss record, a 4 saves, and a 4.67 ERA.[4]
After retirement
After his retirement, Sakumoto worked as a team staff member for the Yokohama BayStars from the 2008 season to the 2011 season and served as a batting practice pitcher.
After that, he worked as a company employee in his hometown of Okinawa until 2014.[4]
On November 7, 2014, Sakumoto was appointed as the third squad pitching coach of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.[4]
He served as the fourth squad pitching coach starting in the 2023 season.[5]
On December 2, 2023, Sakumoto was transferred to the third squad pitchig coach.[1]
References
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