Dodgers ‘06 First Look: Takashi Saito
By Victor - Wednesday March 01st 2006
Sporting Kenny Landreaux’s old number 44, the Dodgers’ newest acquistion from the Pacific Rim, Takashi Saito is working hard in Vero Beach to make the Opening Day line-up. With a minor league contract at age 36, Saito comes to the Dodgers as a 14-year Japanese league veteran and all star. A look at his numbers show mixed results as he moved from starter to closer, but had a good run from ‘96-’99 winning at least 10 games in the stretch. In ‘01, when he went 7-1 with an ERA under 2.00. He looks to be a versitile arm to plug-in for spot starts, middle relief and mop-up work for the staff. Here’s to hoping he makes the squad and then stays on Jeff Kent’s good side.
As a White Sox fan, I should point out that our Old Japanese Dude, Shingo Takatsu, lasted one season before he got the yips. Hopefully, the Dodgers have their own drunken Bobby Hill look-alike from the Valley to replace him for any potential October run.