Shigetoshi Hasegawa made a career of going one on one against the American League’s most intimidating sluggers during nine seasons mostly as a middle reliever.
All of 5 feet 11 and 170 pounds, the former Angel and Seattle Mariner went at guys like Barry Bonds, Albert Belle and Frank Thomas without ever backing down. He was always aggressive, always confident that even though he didn’t have an overpowering fastball, he believed he could get anyone out.
When he left baseball after the 2005 season, he had compiled a 45-43 record, 3.70 earned-run average and was selected to the AL All-Star team in 2003, a season in which he converted 16 of 17 save opportunities for the Mariners.