Baseball getting another shot of Hawaiian punch Jul 18, 2008
Since then, such players as Lenn Sakata, Ron Darling, Benny Agbayani, Jerome Williams and former A's farmhand Tyler Yates have made their marks. The Duke Kahanamoku -- the legendary surfer who transcended the water-based sport -- of baseball on the islands. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Baseball catching on in Hawaii Jul 18, 2008
" It's just that few Hawaiians have made it to the Show, and the national pastime in paradise has always been in question as it took its place well behind surfing, swimming, snorkeling and, well, spam. Still, there was a successful Pacific Coast League franchise in Honolulu from 1961-87 when the Sacramento Solons moved there and became the Islanders. According to baseball-reference.com, 34 Hawaiian-born players have appeared in the big leagues, beginning with "Honolulu Johnnie" Williams, who... (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Well-prepared Holm catches an opportunity May 7, 2008
" Holm already did his winging at a Giants predraft workout in San Francisco in 2001, when he was an infielder for Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma. Giants executives who attended the workout made it clear to Holm he would not make the major leagues as an infielder, so he strapped on the tools of ignorance, of which he truly was ignorant. He had not caught since Little League. The Giants drafted him in the 17th round, and thus began Holm's marathon road to the majors. Raw as he was behind the... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Q&A with Fred Stanley Mar 6, 2008
A: One of the things that we were very lucky with, when Lenn Sakata took the job in Japan, we were able to fill that role with Steve Decker whos been the most successful manager weve had in our organization in the last three years. We have Dave Machemer who has a tremendous amount of baseball knowledge and hes in the scouting area, then hes going to manage in the Arizona Summer League. (San Francisco, TheInsiders.com)
Mailbag: Rays to trade Crawford? Nov 27, 2007
He compared Iwamura's body type to that of former Major Leaguer Lenn Sakata, who played shortstop -- as well as second and third base -- during his career. I'm still confused as to why the Tigers and Yankees let Carlos Pena slip away. (MLB.com -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays)
Iwamura may be looking for new role Sep 25, 2007
" Maddon likened Iwamura's body type to former Major Leaguer Lenn Sakata, who played a lot of shortstop. "Lenny was built that way and Lenny could play all over the place," Maddon said. "Lenny was a good man. And Aki's got that body style and that method of movement which I think can play out there. (MLB.com -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays)
Nuts get win with a bow Aug 19, 2007
San Jose manager Lenn Sakata came out to argue and was ejected for the first time this season. As if to rub salt in San Jose's fresh wound, Patton walked Adam Witter to load the bases, but Eddy Martinez-Esteve grounded into a double play to end the inning with no scoring. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Unbeaten Coasties Run Record to 8-0 Jun 29, 2007
When the umpire came out to end the conference, Bennett exploded and had to be physically restrained by Giants manager Lenn Sakata and first base umpire John Byrnes. The umpiring crew then gave Bennett the rest of the night off. (Los Angeles, TheInsiders.com)
Giants boot one Storm's way Jun 8, 2007
"It's just one of those things that happens," San Jose manager Lenn Sakata said about his team's fielding woes. "It just crept in and kept building. "There's nothing you can say (to the players). (North County Times)
Mortensen Selected As 36th Overall Draft Pick Jun 8, 2007
Former Zags Mike McNeilly and Lenn Sakata were both chosen as the 10th overall picks in January secondary drafts of the 1972 and `75 seasons, respectively, while Mike Davey was in the 32nd overall selection of the 1974 January secondary draft. Mortensen also became the third highest pitcher to be drafted out of Gonzaga, as McNeilly and Davey both threw for the Bulldogs. (Gozags.com)
Notes: Bonds gets some rest Jun 6, 2007
Sakata's record: Lenn Sakata, manager of the Class A San Jose Giants, established a new California League record for career victories with his 527th victory last Thursday against Bakersfield. Sakata eclipsed the mark previously held by Greg Mahlber. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
Mortensen Earns Third Team All-America May 31, 2007
Gonzaga's previous All-American selections include (Second Team - Baseball America) in 2001, Darin Blood (Third Team - Baseball Coaches Association) in 1995, Larry Patterson (First Team - Baseball Coaches Association) in 1977 and Lenn Sakata (Second Team - Baseball Coaches Association) in 1974. The Bulldogs finished the 2007 campaign with a 33-25 record, including a 15-6 mark in the WCC. It was the program's best finish in nearly 17 seasons. (Gozags.com)
Oakland A's History, Non-Roster Players, P. 2 Apr 12, 2007
(1985)- RHP Tim Belcher, RHP Ralph Citarella, RHP Don Cooper,LHP Jeff Kaiser, RHP Tim Lambert, LHP Dave Leiper, RHP Joey McLaughlin, RHP Bob Stoddard, C Jim Jones, C Charlie O'Brein, C Ray Smith, C Terry Steinbach, INF Mike Gallego,1B Mike Hargrove, SS Steve Kiefer, INF Joe Lansford, INF Lenn Sakata, OF Barbaro Garbey, OF Rusty Kuntz, OF Ricky Peters, OF Luis Polonia. (1986)- RHP Jose Rijo, C Bill Bathe, C Brian Dorsett, INF Mike Gallego, 1B Danny Goodwin, SS Tim Pyznarski, OF Stan Javier. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
What to Look For in the Minors this Season Mar 17, 2007
Powered by a strong draft in 2006, both squads should continue to be run fine between 2005s California League Manager of the Year Lenn Sakata, and 2006s South Atlantic League Manger of the Year Roberto Kelly. And then Salem-Keizer should look very strong, as they are likely to sport most of the Giants 6 picks of the top 51 in the strong 2007 entry draft. (San Francisco, TheInsiders.com)
Speed took Victorino from islands to Majors Mar 15, 2007
If Victorino swipes 20 more bags, he'll pass Lenn Sakata for the most by a Hawaiian. "Relaxed," as Rowand put it, is an appropriate way to describe Victorino. (MLB.com -- Philadelphia Phillies)
Minors report: Martinez-Esteve impresses SF Mar 11, 2007
"He can hit. And if you ask him, he'll tell you," said Lenn Sakata, who managed Martinez-Esteve at Class A San Jose at the end of 2004 and in '05. "Hitting, to me, is something that, either you're born a hitter or you're not," but, Martinez-Esteve added, "I have to work at it. There are always things I have to fine-tune." Growing up in Miami fed Martinez-Esteve's passion for the game. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
Giants' Lincecum rocketing toward big leagues Feb 27, 2007
Lenn Sakata, who manages the Giants' Class A San Jose affiliate, delivered high praise for Lincecum, 22. "Since I've been in baseball," Sakata said, "I haven't had a kid with that kind of stuff and that kind of command -- the ability to throw all his pitches for strikes." A former Major League infielder, Sakata spent 1980-85 with the pitching-rich Baltimore Orioles, whose staff included lively armed right-handers Mike Boddicker and Storm Davis. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
