In 2024, runners attempted to steal on Roki Sasaki 21 times. They were only caught twice. Those 19 steals allowed were the second-most given up by any NPB pitcher after Takayuki Kishi, who gave up 21. Kishi threw over 30 more innings than Sasaki.
Hamasaki would later manage the Hankyu Braves (now Orix Buffaloes), and would sign the first black players in the NPB era, John Britton Jr. and Jimmy Newberry.
BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS 3/20 1871 Joe McGinnity Hall of Fame pitcher (World Series 1905; 5 × NL wins leader; NL ERA leader 1904; Baltimore Orioles, NY Giants), born in Rock Island, Illinois (d. 1929) 1915 Stan Spence center fielder (MLB All-Star 1942, 44, 46, 47; Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns), born in South Portsmouth, Kentucky (d. 1983) 1933 George Altman 1941 Pat Corrales 1966 Blas Minor pitcher (Seattle Mariners) 1971 Manny Alexander infielder (Baltimore Orioles) ************************************
FROM MLB's This Day 3/20 in Baseball History+1934 Babe Didrikson, a renowned female athlete, gives up no hits and walks only one Dodger when she pitches the first inning of the Philadelphia A's spring training game at McCurdy Field in Frederick, Maryland. The founder of the LPGA and Olympic track and field Gold Medalist will also participate in exhibition contests with the Indians and Cardinals. 1937 In one of the most significant trades in Negro League history, the Homestead Grays obtain catcher Josh Gibson and third baseman Judy Johnson from the Pittsburgh Crawfords in exchange for $2,500 and two journeymen; backstop Lloyd' Pepper' Bassett and infielder Henry 'Jake' Spearman. The Baseball Hall of Fame will induct both players, with Gibson becoming a member in 1972 and Johnson, following three years later. Buck Leonard 1953 Although the Department of Justice outlawed this practice in 1949, U.S. Senator Edwin C. Johnson proposes a bill banning the broadcast of major league games in minor league territories. The lawmaker, baseball executive Bob Howsam's father-in-law, serves as the Class A Western League president and once played a significant role in constructing Mile High Stadium, formerly known as Bears Stadium. 1958 The Phillies purchase 1953 Although the Department of Justice outlawed this practice in 1949, U.S. Senator Edwin C. Johnson proposes a bill banning the broadcast of major league games in minor league territories. The lawmaker, baseball executive Bob Howsam's father-in-law, serves as the Class A Western League president and once played a significant role in constructing Mile High Stadium, formerly known as Bears Stadium. 1958 The Phillies purchase Joe Collins from the Yankees, but he decides to retire rather than report to the City of Brotherly Love. The 34-year-old first baseman, who spent his entire ten-year career with New York and appeared in seven World Series with the team, finishes with a lifetime .256 batting average. Collins, Ford Howard but he decides to retire rather than report to the City of Brotherly Love. The 34-year-old first baseman, who spent his entire ten-year career with New York and appeared in seven World Series with the team, finishes with a lifetime .256 batting average. 1973 Four months after his death, the BBWAA selects (393-31 votes) the late Roberto Clemente to be a member of the Hall of Fame in a special election after its board of directors previously waived the mandatory five-year waiting period. The 37-year-old Pirates outfielder, the first Latin-American player chosen for induction at Cooperstown, died when a cargo plane crashes on New Year's Eve, bringing supplies to the Nicaraguan earthquake victims. 1975 A rare spring training brawl occurs when Ranger second baseman Dave Nelson takes exception to the two brushback pitches thrown at him by Yankee southpaw Mike Wallace in the seventh inning of a Fort Lauderdale exhibition contest. The trouble begins early after Jim Bibby's first pitch plunks leadoff hitter Elliot Maddox, who had angered Texas skipper Billy Martin when he told the local press that his former manager "has a habit of lying to his players." 1979 In Puerto Rico, Willie Mays, in the second game of an annual exhibition series to benefit a youth sports program started by the late Roberto Clemente, pilots a mini-squad of the Mets to an 8-3 win over the Pirates. Last night, after a 5-3 victory in Game 1, New York manager Joe Torre and many players returned to Florida to play the Dodgers in a Grapefruit League contest. 1989 Outgoing baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth announces his office is investigating "serious allegations" concerning Pete Rose and gambling. Three days after his successor Bart Giamatti assumes the post on April 1, MLB retains John M. Dowd to investigate the charges against the Reds' manager.
2002 The Commissioner's office announces MLB will continue the practice that began after the September 11 attacks of singing 'God Bless America' during the seventh-inning stretch in each team's first homestand. Also, an American flag patch will be worn on the jackets of 28 major league teams this season with distinctive logos for Opening Day, Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July, and Canadian versions designed for the Blue Jays and Expos. 2006 At San Diego's Petco Park, Japan, managed by all-time international home-run king Sadaharu Oh, captures the first World Baseball Classic crown, beating Cuba, 10-6. The 16-team tournament, planned to occur again in 2009, ends with just two major leaguers still in the game. 2006 In his first appearance in a Nationals uniform, Alfonso Soriano refuses to play the outfield in an exhibition game against the Dodgers. The All-Star second baseman, slated to start in left field, could be placed on the disqualified list for insubordination, preventing him from getting paid his $10 million salary and accruing service time, used to determine a player's free-agent status. 2008 Behind the strong pitching of Brad Penny, the Dodgers make their Cactus League debut, beating the White Sox in Phoenix, 8-2. The outing, which takes place where he made his professional debut, earns the right-hander the Opening Day start against the Giants. 2014 The Angels trade first baseman Matt Scioscia, the son of manager Mike Scioscia, to the Cubs for outfielder Trevor Gretzky, the offspring of NHL's Hall of Fame center Wayne Gretzky. The name-worth swap does not help either prospect, with each failing to make the big league club. ******************
FROM MLB's This Day 3/20 in Baseball History+1934 Babe Didrikson, a renowned female athlete, gives up no hits and walks only one Dodger when she pitches the first inning of the Philadelphia A's spring training game at McCurdy Field in Frederick, Maryland. The founder of the LPGA and Olympic track and field Gold Medalist will also participate in exhibition contests with the Indians and Cardinals. 1937 In one of the most significant trades in Negro League history, the Homestead Grays obtain catcher Josh Gibson and third baseman Judy Johnson from the Pittsburgh Crawfords in exchange for $2,500 and two journeymen; backstop Lloyd' Pepper' Bassett and infielder Henry 'Jake' Spearman. The Baseball Hall of Fame will induct both players, with Gibson becoming a member in 1972 and Johnson, following three years later. View attachment 227009
Today In 1935: Babe Ruth & Dizzy Dean shake hands before a spring training game in Florida! #MLB #Braves #STLCards #Baseball #History
So Randy, we're gonna trade you for Mark Langston...and then you're gonna win 300 games, 5 Cy Young awards...and throw a ball thru a bird." ~ the Montreal Expos
3/21 BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS 1939 Tommy Davis (3 x MLB All Star; World Series 1963; NL batting champion 1962, 63 LA Dodgers), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 2022) 1963 Shawon Dunston, infielder (SF Giants, Cubs), born in Brooklyn, New York 1978 Cristian Guzmán player 1982 Aaron Hill ********************************************************
FROM MLB's This Day in Baseball History+ 1908 Detroit outfielder Ty Cobb signs for $4000, with an $800 bonus if he hits over .300. The 21-year-old 'Georgia Peach' will finish the season with a league-leading .324 batting average for the first-place Tigers. \\1931 On a chilly night at Houston's (TX) Buffs Stadium, the White Sox and Giants become the first major league clubs to play a night game when they square off in an exhibition under 245-kilowatt lamps, according to reports, provided adequate lighting for the contest. The disappointing crowd of 2,500, due most likely to the cold weather, watch Chicago score five runs in the tenth frame to beat John McGraw's New York squad, 11-6. 1936 The Reds trade first baseman Jim Bottomley for the Browns' utility player Johnny Burnett, who will never appear in a game for his new team. The former Cincinnati infielder plays two seasons with St. Louis, finishing his 16-year Hall of Fame career with a lifetime .310 batting average.
