{"product_id":"1981-lenn-sakata-baseball-card-topps-no-287","title":"1981 Lenn Sakata Baseball Card Topps No 287","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1981 Lenn Sakata Baseball Card Topps No 287\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e in Excellent condition, see photos.  \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-76 citation-end-76\"\u003eLenn Sakata carved out a unique legacy over his 11-year Major League Baseball career (1977–1987), breaking barriers and cementing his name in baseball lore as a consummate utility infielder.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"1\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-75 citation-end-75\"\u003eDrafted in the first round by the Milwaukee Brewers out of Gonzaga University, the Honolulu native made history as only the second Asian American to play in the major leagues.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"2\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-74 citation-end-74\"\u003eSakata found his greatest success after joining the Baltimore Orioles in 1980, where his defensive flexibility at shortstop and second base made him a vital cog in Earl Weaver’s and Joe Altobelli's lineups, culminating in a 100-win season in 1980 and a World Series championship in 1983.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"3\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-73 citation-end-73\"\u003eHe is immortalized in Orioles history for a single, wildly bizarre game on August 24, 1983, against the Toronto Blue Jays: with the roster depleted, Sakata was forced to play catcher—a position he hadn't played since childhood.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"4\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-72 citation-end-72\"\u003eSensing an easy target, three consecutive Blue Jays base runners took massive leads at first base, only for pitcher Tippy Martinez to pick all three of them off; Sakata then capped off the legendary night by hitting a walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"5\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-71 citation-end-71\"\u003eOver his career, which included later stints with the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees, Sakata totaled 25 home runs and a .230 batting average before transitioning into a highly successful minor league managerial career, ultimately becoming the winningest manager in California League history.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"6\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EvoRelic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49486943977610,"sku":"640128530","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0694\/2126\/9130\/files\/1981LennSakataBaseballCardToppsNo287.jpg?v=1780396931","url":"https:\/\/evorelic.com\/products\/1981-lenn-sakata-baseball-card-topps-no-287","provider":"EvoRelic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}