 Nicknamed
"Mr. Zero" because he has never
surrendered an earned run in Japan Series play,
Shingo Takatsu has been the Swallows most
consistent closer for the last five years. Though
shaky in his freshman and sophomore outings, the
right-handed reliever has averaged roughly twenty
saves a year since 1993. With a career 30-25
record, Takatsu has compiled 102 saves and a
lifetime 3.06 ERA.
Known as much for his toothy grin as
for his pitching, the popular fireman earned 14
saves in 1997 while posting a 7-4 record and a
2.04 ERA. Early in the season, with manager
Katsuya Nomura having trouble with his starting
rotation, Takatsu started a few games.
After Tomohito Ito blew a save
opportunity in Hiroshima during a late September
game, Nomura used Takatsu as the team's primary
closer for the rest of the season and the Japan
Series (in which he earned one save with a 0.00
ERA).
|
|
 |
| #
22 |
| Closing
Relief |
| Pitcher |
| Born:
11-25-68 |
| Height:
180 cm |
| Weight:
73 kg |
| Bats:
Right |
| Throws:
Right |
| Honors: |
| 1994 |
| Led CL in |
| Saves (19) |
|
