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Rookie Saito named for All-Star series

OSAKA, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters rookie pitcher Yuki Saito poses for photos at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on July 13, 2011, after being named as a Pacific League special final entry to play in the upcoming three-game All-Star series.

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Saito lives up to billing in pro debut

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Yuki Saito pitches during a game against the Lotte Marines at Sapporo Dome in Sapporo on April 17, 2011. Saito walked away a winner in his pro baseball debut after an 8-4 victory.

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Saito lives up to billing in pro debut

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Yuki Saito pitches during a game against the Lotte Marines at Sapporo Dome in Sapporo on April 17, 2011. Saito walked away a winner in his pro baseball debut after an 8-4 victory.

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Baseball donation drive for quake victims

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters rookie Yuki Saito takes part in a donation drive for the March 11 earthquake victims at Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido on March 20, 2011, ahead of a preseason game.

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Saito throws scoreless inning in exhibition debut

NAGO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters rookie right-hander Yuki Saito throws in his first exhibition appearance against the Samsung Lions of South Korea at Nago Stadium in Okinawa Prefecture on Feb. 13, 2011. Saito retired all three batters in one inning as the Fighters' second pitcher in front of 5,200 spectators.

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Saito throws scoreless inning in exhibition debut

NAGO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters rookie right-hander Yuki Saito throws in his first exhibition appearance against the Samsung Lions of South Korea at Nago Stadium in Okinawa Prefecture on Feb. 13, 2011. Saito retired all three batters in one inning as the Fighters' second pitcher in front of 5,200 spectators.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

SAPPORO, Japan - People walk in front of a snow sculpture of Yuki Saito (R), a popular rookie of the local professional baseball team Nippon Ham Fighters, at Odori Park in Sapporo on Feb. 7, 2011, during the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. The festival, which began the same day, runs through Feb. 13.

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Fighters' rookie Saito enters team dorm

CHIBA, Japan - Yuki Saito, the Nippon Ham Fighters' first-round draft pick, arrives at the team's dormitory in Kamagaya, Chiba Prefecture, on Jan. 11, 2011, ahead of its voluntary rookie training camp starting the following day.

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Fighters rookie Saito meets Sapporo

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters rookie pitcher Yuki Saito acknowledges the crowd after an event at Sapporo Dome on Dec. 9, 2010. Saito was the first-round draft pick of the professional baseball club.

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Fighters rookie Saito meets Sapporo

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters manager Masataka Nashida (R) introduces rookie pitcher Yuki Saito wearing his new No. 18 jersey at Sapporo Dome on Dec. 9, 2010. Saito was the first-round draft pick of the professional baseball club.

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Fighters rookie Saito meets Sapporo

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters rookie Yuki Saito wearing his new No. 18 jersey poses during an event at Sapporo Dome on Dec. 9, 2010. Saito was the first-round draft pick of the professional baseball club.

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Saito joins Nippon Ham

TOKYO, Japan - Yuki Saito, the No. 1 draft pick of the Nippon Ham Fighters, shows the number 18 that the professional baseball club has given to the rookie at a hotel in Tokyo on Dec. 6, 2010. Saito, a star pitcher at Waseda University, signed with the club the same day.

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3 star pitchers of Waseda University

TOKYO, Japan - Waseda University manager Atsuyoshi Otake (2nd from L) poses with pitchers Yuki Saito (L), Tatsuya Oishi and Yuya Fukui (R) at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Nov. 18, 2010, after the pitchers played their last game before joining professional clubs. Waseda became the first amateur baseball team from which three pitchers were selected as the No. 1 picks in the professional draft.

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Saito, Nippon Ham Fighters' draft No. 1 pick

TOKYO, Japan - Yuki Saito, a pitcher of Waseda University and the draft No. 1 pick of the Nippon Ham Fighters professional club, throws against Tokai University in the final of a university baseball tournament at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Nov. 18, 2010.

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Waseda wins university baseball tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Ace pitcher Yuki Saito and other baseball players of Waseda University celebrate their victory in a university baseball tournament at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Nov. 18, 2010, beating Tokai University 2-1.

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Waseda University pitchers

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Waseda University pitchers Yuki Saito, Yuya Fukui and Tatsuya Oishi pose for photos with trophies on Nov. 3, 2010, at the Jingu Baseball Stadium in Tokyo, after defeating Keio University in a Tokyo Big6 Baseball League game to win the league title. The three have been selected by three professional baseball teams in the first round of the amateur draft.

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Waseda Univ. Saito marks 30th win in Tokyo league

TOKYO, Japan - Yuki Saito, an ace of Waseda University, starts against the University of Tokyo during a Tokyo Big6 Baseball League game at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2010. Saito, likely to be picked in the Japanese professional draft, earned his 30th win in the popular inter-university league the same day.

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Waseda's Saito pitches against pros

TOKYO, Japan - Yuki Saito, star pitcher of Waseda University, watches a single to left he gave up to Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto in the first inning of a game between a university all-star team and a select team of professionals at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 22, 2009.

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Waseda's Saito pitches against pros

TOKYO, Japan - Yuki Saito, star pitcher of Waseda University, throws the game as starter of a university all-star team against a select team of professionals at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 22, 2009. Saito gave up one run and two hits in one inning as the teams played to a 1-1 tie.

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Saito pitches vs U.S. in collegiate All-Star series

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Waseda University right-hander Yuki Saito throws against the U.S. team during the last game of the collegiate All-Star series at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Ju1y 16.

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Saito pitches vs U.S. in collegiate All-Star series

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Waseda University right-hander Yuki Saito throws against the U.S. team during the last game of the collegiate All-Star series at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Ju1y 16.

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Baseball: Saito leads Waseda to Big Six title with shutout

TOKYO, Japan - Waseda University players celebrate their 7-0 victory over Keio University to clinch the Tokyo Big Six League autumn season title at Jingu stadium in Tokyo on Oct. 30. Waseda won its third straight league title, and 40th overall, with freshman Yuki Saito's four-hitter shutout game highlighted by 15 strikes.

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Baseball: Saito leads Waseda to Big Six title with shutout

TOKYO, Japan - Freshman Yuki Saito (R) is interviewed after he led Waseda University to a 7-0 victory over Keio University with a four-hit, 15-strike complete game at Jingu stadium in Tokyo on Oct. 30 to clinch the Tokyo Big Six League autumn title. Saito, who finished the season with league highs of four wins and a 0.78 ERA, became the first freshman pitcher to be named to the league's season-ending ''Best Nine'' all-star team in both the spring and autumn.

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Saito leads Japan over U.S. in collegiate series

DURHAM, United States - Waseda University freshman and starting pitcher Yuki Saito (C) rejoices with teammates after Japan edged the United States 2-1 in Game 3 of their baseball collegiate all-star series July 6. Saito gave up just one run and two hits in six innings.

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Saito named to season-ending 'Best Nine' team

TOKYO, Japan - Freshman Yuki Saito (file photo) was selected on June 4 to the season-ending ''Best Nine'' team after Waseda University won its second consecutive Tokyo Big Six League title the previous day. It was the first time that a freshman pitcher was named to the Best Nine spring league team.

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Saito helps Waseda Univ. to Tokyo Big Six title

TOKYO, Japan - Freshman Yuki Saito holds Keio University scoreless through five innings to lead Waseda University to its second consecutive Tokyo Big Six League title at Jingu Stadium on June 3.

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Saito helps Waseda Univ. to Tokyo Big Six title

TOKYO, Japan - Freshman Yuki Saito is tossed up by teammates after working six innings to lead Waseda University to its second consecutive Tokyo Big Six League title in a 9-5 win over Keio University at Jingu Stadium on June 3. Saito, who became a national idol last summer when he led Waseda Jitsugyo to the national high school championship title, held Keio scoreless through five innings before giving up four runs in the sixth.

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Dolls depicting year's newsmakers shown in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - A Tokyo doll maker unveils dolls depicting people in the news in 2006 at a hall in Tokyo. At front left is high-school pitcher Yuki Saito, who endeared himself to fans by wiping his face with a blue handkerchief during a summer baseball tournament at Koshien Stadium; at front right are Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, proud parents of a new prince.

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Waseda Jitsugyo ace Saito chooses university over pros

TOKYO, Japan - Yuki Saito, who led Waseda Jitsugyo to its first title in a victory over Komadai Tomakomai at the national high school baseball championship last month, said at his school in Tokyo on Sept. 11 he has decided to attend university instead of playing pro baseball.

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Japan, U.S. draw in high school baseball

LOS ANGELES, United States - Yuki Saito, pitcher of the Japanese high school all-star team, is welcomed by senior citizens on arriving at a reception in Los Angeles on Sept. 2.

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Japan, U.S. draw in high school baseball

LOS ANGELES, United States - Yuki Saito, starting pitcher of the Japanese high school all-star team, leaves the game in the fourth inning after giving up four runs on five hits against the U.S. high school western region select team on Sept. 2 in Los Angeles. Japan and the U.S. drew 6-6.

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Japanese H.S. all-star baseball team holds matches with U.S. team

COOPERSTOWN, United States - Yuki Saito of the Japanese high school all-star baseball team signs autographs after games with U.S. high school select team members in the eastern region at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, on Aug. 31.

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Japanese H.S. all-star baseball team holds matches with U.S. team

COOPERSTOWN, United States - Yuki Saito of the Japanese high school all-star baseball team pitches as the starter in a game against the U.S. high school select team in the eastern region at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, on Aug. 31. Japan beat the U.S. 5-1 in the first game and lost 2-1 in the second game.

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Waseda Jitsugyo wins 1st national high school title

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Waseda Jitsugyo's ace hurler Yuki Saito reacts after leading the team to a 4-3 victory over Komadai Tomakomai to clinch its first national high school baseball championship title at Koshien Stadium on Aug. 21.

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Japanese high school all-star team visits Baseball Hall of Fame

COOPERSTOWN, United States - Yuki Saito of the Japanese high school all-star baseball team looks at the uniform worn by Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka in the inaugural World Baseball Classic championship in March at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown on Aug. 30. Matsuzaka, who notched three wins in the championship, was named MVP. (Pool photo)(Kyodo)

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Japanese H.S. all-star baseball team holds matches with U.S. tea

COOPERSTOWN, United States - Yuki Saito of the Japanese high school all-star baseball team pitches as the starter in a game against the U.S. high school select team in the eastern region at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, on Aug. 31. Japan beat the U.S. 5-1 in the first game and lost 2-1 in the second game. (Kyodo)

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Japanese H.S. all-star baseball team holds matches with U.S. tea

COOPERSTOWN, United States - Yuki Saito of the Japanese high school all-star baseball team signs autographs after games with U.S. high school select team members in the eastern region at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, on Aug. 31. (Kyodo)

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Japan, U.S. draw in high school baseball

LOS ANGELES, United States - Yuki Saito, starting pitcher of the Japanese high school all-star team, leaves the game in the fourth inning after giving up four runs on five hits against the U.S. high school western region select team on Sept. 2 in Los Angeles. Japan and the U.S. drew 6-6. (Kyodo)

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Japan, U.S. draw in high school baseball

LOS ANGELES, United States - Yuki Saito, pitcher of the Japanese high school all-star team, is welcomed by senior citizens on arriving at a reception in Los Angeles on Sept. 2. (Kyodo)

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Waseda Jitsugyo ace Saito chooses university over pros

TOKYO, Japan - Yuki Saito, who led Waseda Jitsugyo to its first title in a victory over Komadai Tomakomai at the national high school baseball championship last month, said at his school in Tokyo on Sept. 11 he has decided to attend university instead of playing pro baseball. (Kyodo)

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Saito helps Waseda Univ. to Tokyo Big Six title

TOKYO, Japan - Freshman Yuki Saito holds Keio University scoreless through five innings to lead Waseda University to its second consecutive Tokyo Big Six League title at Jingu Stadium on June 3. (Kyodo)

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Saito helps Waseda Univ. to Tokyo Big Six title

TOKYO, Japan - Freshman Yuki Saito is tossed up by teammates after working six innings to lead Waseda University to its second consecutive Tokyo Big Six League title in a 9-5 win over Keio University at Jingu Stadium on June 3. Saito, who became a national idol last summer when he led Waseda Jitsugyo to the national high school championship title, held Keio scoreless through five innings before giving up four runs in the sixth. (Kyodo)

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Saito named to season-ending 'Best Nine' team

TOKYO, Japan - Freshman Yuki Saito (file photo) was selected on June 4 to the season-ending ''Best Nine'' team after Waseda University won its second consecutive Tokyo Big Six League title the previous day. It was the first time that a freshman pitcher was named to the Best Nine spring league team. (Kyodo)

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Saito leads Japan over U.S. in collegiate series

DURHAM, United States - Waseda University freshman and starting pitcher Yuki Saito (C) rejoices with teammates after Japan edged the United States 2-1 in Game 3 of their baseball collegiate all-star series July 6. Saito gave up just one run and two hits in six innings. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: Saito leads Waseda to Big Six title with shutout

TOKYO, Japan - Waseda University players celebrate their 7-0 victory over Keio University to clinch the Tokyo Big Six League autumn season title at Jingu stadium in Tokyo on Oct. 30. Waseda won its third straight league title, and 40th overall, with freshman Yuki Saito's four-hitter shutout game highlighted by 15 strikes. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: Saito leads Waseda to Big Six title with shutout

TOKYO, Japan - Freshman Yuki Saito (R) is interviewed after he led Waseda University to a 7-0 victory over Keio University with a four-hit, 15-strike complete game at Jingu stadium in Tokyo on Oct. 30 to clinch the Tokyo Big Six League autumn title. Saito, who finished the season with league highs of four wins and a 0.78 ERA, became the first freshman pitcher to be named to the league's season-ending ''Best Nine'' all-star team in both the spring and autumn. (Kyodo)

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Dolls depicting year's newsmakers shown in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - A Tokyo doll maker unveils dolls depicting people in the news in 2006 at a hall in Tokyo. At front left is high-school pitcher Yuki Saito, who endeared himself to fans by wiping his face with a blue handkerchief during a summer baseball tournament at Koshien Stadium; at front right are Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, proud parents of a new prince. (Kyodo)

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Fighters' rookie Saito enters team dorm

CHIBA, Japan - Yuki Saito, the Nippon Ham Fighters' first-round draft pick, arrives at the team's dormitory in Kamagaya, Chiba Prefecture, on Jan. 11, 2011, ahead of its voluntary rookie training camp starting the following day. (Kyodo)

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Saito throws scoreless inning in exhibition debut

NAGO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters rookie right-hander Yuki Saito throws in his first exhibition appearance against the Samsung Lions of South Korea at Nago Stadium in Okinawa Prefecture on Feb. 13, 2011. Saito retired all three batters in one inning as the Fighters' second pitcher in front of 5,200 spectators. (Kyodo)

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Fighters rookie Saito meets Sapporo

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters rookie pitcher Yuki Saito acknowledges the crowd after an event at Sapporo Dome on Dec. 9, 2010. Saito was the first-round draft pick of the professional baseball club. (Kyodo)