Ryan Kurosaki

Ryan Yoshitomo Kurosaki (born July 3, 1952) is an American former professional baseball player whose career lasted for seven seasons (1974–1980). A right-handed pitcher, he appeared in seven games, all in relief, for the 1975 St. Louis Cardinals. As such, Kurosaki was the first Asian-American to play Major League Baseball.

The 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m), 160 lb (73 kg) Kurosaki attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and signed with the Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1974. Recalled by St. Louis to the Majors during his second professional season, he debuted on May 20, 1975, against the San Diego Padres and pitched 1⅔ hitless innings, although he walked three. In his seven MLB appearances, he did not earned a decision or a save, surrendering 15 hits (including three home runs) and 11 earned runs in 13 innings pitched. He issued seven walks and struck out six.

In 296 minor league games, all in the Cardinal organization and all but eight in relief, he compiled a 41–29 record with a 3.21 earned run average and 53 saves.