In addition to his Rookie of the Year award, Sasaki set several Japanese professional baseball records, including saves (45) and save opportunities (46) for a single season in 1998; he was twice selected to play in the All-Star game, and was selected to eight All-Star teams in Japan. Sasaki's 37 saves in his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners remained a Major League Baseball record for saves by a rookie until Neftalí Feliz broke it in 2010 with 40. In 1991, Sasaki married former idol singer Kaori Shimizu. Together they had two children. After returning to Japan in 2005, Sasaki continued his affair with actress Kanako Enomoto, who was 13 years his junior. When Enomoto became pregnant, Shimizu divorced Sasaki on March 18, 2005. Enomoto gave birth prematurely on April 29, 2005. Sasaki's interest in sports extend outside baseball. In 2002 and 2003, he lent his name to Formula Nippon, an auto racing series in Japan. His Team 22 won two races in that time. Also is a horse racing owner, his horse Vivlos won the 2017G1 Dubai Turf race on Dubai World Cup Night and Cheval Grand winner of the prestigious G1 Japan Cup. He is currently the general representative of D'Station Racing in Super GT series. Sasaki has appeared as a judge on the "Iron Chef" television program. He had a side recording career, with an album of his vocals over techno beats. Sasaki chose 22 for his uniform number because he was born at 2:22 on February 22 (2/22). The BayStars have permanently honored his number.