G. G. Sato Explained

G. G. Sato
Position:Catcher / Outfielder
Birth Date:9 August 1978
Birth Place:Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:NPB
Debutdate:March 30
Debutyear:2004
Debutteam:Seibu Lions
Finalleague:NPB
Finaldate:October 8
Finalyear:2013
Finalteam:Chiba Lotte Marines
Statyear:2013 season
Statleague:NPB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.278
Stat2label:Hits
Stat2value:495
Stat3label:RBIs
Stat3value:267
Teams:
Highlights:
  • NPL All-Star (2008)

, also known as G. G. Sato, is a former professional player for the Philadelphia Phillies organization, Saitama Seibu Lions, Chiba Lotte Marines, and Fortitudo Baseball Bologna.

Career

Sato began his professional career signing with the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 2000 [1] before making his on field debut for the Batavia Muckdogs of Minor League Baseball in 2001 hitting .261 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI's. In 2002 he played again in Batavia as well as the Gulf Coast League. He was promoted to the Lakewood BlueClaws for the 2003 season and hit .247 with 6 home runs and 42 RBI's.[2]

Sato was selected in the seventh round by the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2003 draft upon returning to Japan, where he would play from 2004 until 2011.

Sato briefly played in Fortitudo Baseball Bologna in the Italian Baseball League in 2012 as well as Chiba Lotte Marines in 2013.

International career

Sato played for Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics.[3]

Personal

Sato got his nickname G. G. while at Hosei University because it was thought he had the face of an old man, or jiji (爺). Sato worked as a security guard upon returning to Japan in 2003 before trying out for the Lions.[4] He now works for his father's company, Travers, in Japan.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: G.G. Traces hustling style to stint in U.S. Minors by Jim Allen - Japanese Baseball.
  2. Web site: G.G Sato - Stats - the Baseball Cube .
  3. Takahiko Sato . 2020-05-21 . 2012-11-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121111130633/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sa/takahiko-sato-1.html . dead .
  4. Web site: "The prime of your life is always ahead of you" Ex-pro baseball player G.G. Sato. A former professional baseball player who had overcome the unforgettable "Error" in Japan's baseball history, and how he takes his second challenge in life as a corporate employee.