San Jose Giants skipper Lenn Sakata, a 1971 Kalani High graduate, was named the 2005 California League Manager of the Year yesterday.

Sakata, a former Baltimore Orioles infielder and 11-year major league veteran, guided the San Francisco Giants' A affiliate to the best record in the league and the first half Northern Division championship.

San Jose clinched the top overall record (82-54) in the North with a 5-4 victory over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Thursday. San Jose and the Stockton Ports opened a four-game series yesterday in Stockton, Calif.

Sakata, who is the sixth San Jose manager to win the prestigious award, has taken the Giants to the playoffs in all four of his seasons in the California League.

Sakata was a member of the 1970 Kalani state championship baseball team, which has the distinction of being the last public school to win a team state championship from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

Sakata, a member of the 1983 World Series champion Baltimore Orioles, was the last player to appear at shortstop for the Orioles before Cal Ripken started his record streak of 2,632 consecutive games played.