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Monday
Evening QB
SOMETIMES when something seems very clear-cut you feel you have to try to poke holes in it, because it is just too perfect to be true. Sakata seems
a perfect fit
for RainbowsThe subject is the University of Hawaii baseball head coaching job that opens up for the 2002 season -- specifically, who should fill it.
Although many names are mentioned, the talk around town always seems to come back to one -- as it has even before the job opened:
Lenn Sakata.
And the fit seems almost too ideal.
There is so much to like about the former Kalani star and 11-year major-leaguer who has coached and managed in the pros since his last year as a player in 1987.
One obvious attribute is Sakata's combination of being homegrown, yet possessing substantial big-time credibility.
In 26 years of pro baseball, Sakata has played, coached and managed in dozens of towns and cities, big and small, throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Japan.
He's also been to the 1983 World Series, as a member of the Baltimore Orioles.
Sakata was never a star in the majors, but he had a shining moment which is now part of Oriole lore in the '83 pennant drive. Normally a middle infielder, he helped Baltimore win a key game in extra innings by filling in at catcher, and hitting a homer.
While he obviously had to have some talent to make it to the bigs, Sakata battled every year to keep his roster spot. At 5 feet 9 and 160 pounds, he needed every edge.
"If you know how to play the game, a smaller guy can outdo a bigger man," Sakata said. "The average guy can always make himself a better player."
That's why fringe players usually become better coaches and managers than do superstars. They simply know more about the game, because they had to learn to survive.
NOW for the hole poking. Sakata, 45, is manager of the Bakersfield Blaze, a Giants' Single-A team in the California League.
So an obvious question is the same one asked of June Jones last year: Why leave the pros for college?
Isn't Sakata, especially with baseball's emphasis on minority hiring, on the fast track to a major-league coaching or managing job?
Not according to him.
"I'm perceived as more of a young-player developer," Sakata said.
Sounds perfect for college coaching.
The other question concerns his lack of an academic degree. Sakata left Gonzaga early to pursue his professional career.
"My degree is in baseball," Sakata said. "My resume speaks for itself."
He's right, and UH would do well to allow for a work-experience equivalency in his case.
"Education will not be neglected," he added.
Sakata said he has already spoken with current coach Les Murakami and athletic director Hugh Yoshida about applying for the job.
He also said money wouldn't be an issue, that even the low-end of the pay scale would be a raise from his current salary.
"The job is so attractive because I'm from Hawaii, I live in Hawaii, and I've always been interested in Hawaii's baseball talent," Sakata said. "I've always wanted to give back to the community. I'd like to help local kids further their careers and dreams."
There are many other potential candidates who can sincerely say the same.
But how many of them can go into a recruit's home wearing a major-league World Series ring?
Dave Reardon, who covered sports in Hawaii from 1977 to 1998,
moved to the the Gainesville Sun, then returned to
the Star-Bulletin in Jan. 2000.
E-mail dreardon@starbulletin.com