Lenn Haruki Sakata (born June 8, 1954) is an American former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility player from 1977 to 1987 and was a member of the Baltimore Orioles 1983 World Series Championship team.
[4] Sakata graduated from Kalani High School in 1971, and also attended Treasure Valley College.
In January 1975, the Milwaukee Brewers chose Sakata in the first round (10th pick overall) of the secondary phase of free-agent draft.
In 1977, he had a .304 batting average with the Triple-A Spokane Indians of the Pacific Coast League (PCL).
He was the starting shortstop for the Orioles when Cal Ripken Jr., began his consecutive games played streak.
1982 saw career highs for Sakata in virtually every category, as he started 94 games (44 at second base and 50 at shortstop).
The Orioles had replaced their starting catcher and his backup while rallying to tie the game in the ninth inning.
Sakata then hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth to win the game.
[16][17] Sakata played parts of his final three major league seasons with the Orioles (1985), and as a free agent signing with the Oakland Athletics (1986) and the New York Yankees (1987).
Playing for Oakland's Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Tigers, he may have had his best year in baseball as a batter, hitting .313, with 27 doubles, 66 runs, and 48 RBI in 399 at bats; with 52 bases-on-balls and 11 stolen bases without getting caught stealing.
[10] After his playing career ended, Sakata worked in the Athletics' minor league system.
[10] On May 31, 2007, Sakata notched his 527th victory as a California League manager, setting the record for lifetime wins.
The Giants swept the Fresno Grizzlies in winning the 2021 Low-A West Championship Series.
In 2019, the team retired his number 14, making him the first person in franchise history to receive this honor.