Name: Shingo Takatsu

Rank: 148

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 2004-2005

After a 13 year career in the Japanese baseball league, Shingo Takatsu signed with the White Sox on January 22, 2004, becoming the first Japanese born player to sign with a Chicago team.  As a 35 year old rookie, he made his major league debut on April 9, 2004 against the Yankees, facing countryman Hideki Matsui as his first batter.

Takatsu eventually became the closer for the 2004 White Sox, earning 19 saves in 56 appearances with a sparkling 2.31 ERA.  Unfortunately, his success was short lived.

Takatsu began the 2005 season as the team’s closer, earning the save in the Opening Day 1-0 victory over the Indians.  Sadly, the league seemed to catch on to his trickery, as his ERA grew to 5.97 in 31 games.  He was replaced as closer by Dustin Hermanson and, while the White Sox went on to win the division and the World Series, Takatsu was released on August 1st.

Takatsu’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were: