One of the least publicized skippers in Japan, Kyosuke Sasaki has managed the Buffaloes for two years. Probably because Kintetsu has such a small following, much of what Sasaki does goes unreported; Japanese baseball fans presumably prefer to read about the Giants.

But the Buffaloes manager did make headlines in August 1997. Following the June resignation of American umpire Mike DiMuro who was assaulted by Dragons players and coaches at Nagoya Dome, baseball officials decided to pay lip service to protecting the game's arbiters.

Two other managers, Seibu's Osamu Higashio and Hiroshima's Toshiyuki Mimura, had already been fined for arguing when Sasaki protested a 3-2 bases loaded pitch that was called for a ball. Thrown out of the game, Sasaki also received a 100,000 yen fine (roughly $700 US).

When not creating mayhem on the playing field, Sasaki has set out to build the Buffaloes into a contender. Inheriting a team that had placed last with a 49-78 record in 1995, the Kintetsu manager lifted to Buffaloes to fourth place (62-67). Much of the increase in wins, however, had to do with the replacement of injured slugger Ralph Bryant with productive outfielder Tuffy Rhodes.

In 1997, the Buffaloes moved into the Osaka Dome, a new facility with "Major League" dimensions. In the previous decade, five teams had moved into larger ballparks and all had suffered from the change in venues. Only Lotte, who finished in the cellar both before and after the move, remained consistent. While the transition apparently helped the team's pitchers, Sasaki helped the team develop its speed potential.

Though unable to hit as many home runs as at Fujiidera Stadium, the Buffaloes excelled at other extra base hits and compiling steals at Osaka Dome. Though Kintetsu limped through the first-half of the season, they surged after the all-star break and finished with a strong third-place 68-63 record. How much of the improvement was due to Sasaki may not be clear, but he certainly didn't make many mistakes.

With luck, the Kintetsu skipper may be able to lead the Buffaloes to their first pennant in a decade. As a player, Sasaki participated on two Pacific League champions, the 1979 and '80 Buffaloes. Joining the team in 1972, the 22-year old outfielder hit two home runs in his first game as Kintetsu's clean-up hitter.

In 1975 and '78 he was named one of the league's "best nine," winning the PL batting crown the latter year with a .354 average. Retiring in 1981 with 105 home runs and a career .283 average, Sasaki went on to become a batting coach with the Tigers and Buffaloes.