Thursday, January 30, 2014

RIP Kazuhiko Sakazaki

Former Giants and Flyers outfielder Kazuhiko Sakazaki passed away earlier this week.  Sazazaki strikes me as someone who had unfortunate timing.  He joined the Giants out of high school in 1956, just after the Giants had won four of the previous five Nippon Series.  He left the Giants for the Toei Flyers just before the 1965 season, the year the Giants embarked on their streak of nine consecutive Nippon Series championships.  He did win championships with the Giants in 1961 and 1963, however, so he didn't completely miss out.  He retired following the 1967 season.

I believe the only modern card of Sakazaki is from the 2004 BBM Giants 70th Anniversary set.  He had a number of menko and game cards during his playing career.

1958 Marukami JCM 31b

1958 Marumatsu JCM 32a

2004 BBM Giants 70th Anniversary #023

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