Japan’s New Ham Manager Shinjo: Two Shots with Takuya Kimura and the Surprising Reason for His High Rating
Here’s why I came back to Japan.
After Tsuyoshi Shinjo (49) posted a thought-provoking message on his Twitter account on October 18, rumors began to spread that he would be appointed as the new manager of Nippon Ham. The reason for this was that in the background of the top image was a photo of what appeared to be a new baseball stadium under construction in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido. The rumor turned out to be true.
On October 26, “Nikkan Sports” reported that Shinjo had been confirmed as the new manager of Nippon Ham. They have already started organizing the coaches for next season. It is said that his appointment was influenced by the opinion of the head office of Nippon Ham.
“The team’s image deteriorated when Sho Nakata, the main gun, assaulted a teammate. Nakata was transferred to the Giants without any period of house arrest. He did not hold a press conference in Hokkaido to apologize, and there were many complaints not only to the team but also to the head office.
In order to revamp the deteriorating image of the team, they needed a cheerful and well-known leader, and the head office recommended Shinjo. At first, Atsunori Inaba, who had led Samurai Japan to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, was considered a strong candidate for the new manager. However, Inaba’s strong leadership was difficult to demonstrate at Nippon Ham, where the front office had the right to organize the team. It seems that they have come to a consensus that Inaba should become GM and back up Shinjo.
Shinjo and Inaba were both born in 1972. Shinjo and Inaba were both born in 1972 and have a good relationship, having worked together as outfielders for Nippon Ham.
Calculation behind the performance
However, there is a great deal of concern among the fans.
“Since his retirement in 2006, he has never been a coach, let alone a manager. Since his retirement in 2006, he has never been a coach, let alone a manager. He has also made many appearances on TV, and his image as a TV personality is probably significant. It is said that there were some within the baseball team who questioned his appointment.
However, a person who knows Shinjo says, “His attitude toward baseball is sincere and suitable for a leader.
“It’s true that Shinjo likes to perform. But he didn’t do it just to show off. When he performs, it’s when there are a lot of negative factors, such as when the team is on a losing streak. I explained my intentions to my colleagues and the leaders beforehand and said, ‘Today, I’m going to liven up the stadium in this way. I’m doing my calculations properly.
Shinjo is also a hard worker, having spent time in the minors in the United States. I’ve never heard him complain about the food or facilities, no matter how bad the environment was. I often saw him enter the stadium in the morning when none of his teammates were there and practice in silence. I guess he always tried to play cheerfully in front of the fans and didn’t want them to see him suffer in practice. His attitude toward baseball is much more serious than people around him imagine.
He is also a man of his word.
When he moved from the majors to Nippon Ham in 2004, Shinjo made a promise: “I will make Nippon Ham the best team in Japan. In 2004, when he joined Nippon Ham from the major leagues, Shinjo made a promise: “I will make Nippon Ham the best team in Japan,” and “I will fill the Sapporo Dome. He didn’t just say that out of the blue. In 2006, as promised, he led the team to its first Japan championship in 44 years.
His skills are available on video. It is in plain language and very easy to understand. I’m sure Nippon-Ham didn’t just think, ‘Shinjo, with his name recognition, will attract fans. I think they highly valued his coaching ability and seriously entrusted Shinjo with the task of rebuilding a team that had been in the B class for three consecutive years.
This magazine has often witnessed Shinjo’s glamorous appearances, such as his extravagant parties with Kimura in Roppongi, Tokyo. This magazine has often witnessed Shinjo’s glamorous appearances, such as his extravagant outings with Kimura in Roppongi, Tokyo. There is no doubt that the cheerful and outspoken Shinjo can revamp the team’s deteriorating image. I wonder what promises he will make as manager.
Photography: Hiroyuki Komatsu, Keiko Mayume, Masayoshi Jinnai, Shoichiro Tsuboi, Takuo Higuchi