Chunichi Faces Challenges in Finding Successor After Kazuyoshi Tatsunami’s Resignation

Chunichi manager Kazuyoshi Tachinami (55) announced his retirement at the end of the season on September 18 after the game against Hanshin at the Bantelindome Nagoya. He will lead the team until the final game of the season, but the team has already begun the search for his successor.

“It is highly likely that head coach Atsushi Kataoka (55), a close friend of Tatematsu and a classmate from PL Gakuen, will also resign. Several coaches who joined out of respect for Tatematsu are also likely to request to leave. Since there will be no entry into the Climax Series this year, the announcement of the new manager is expected by mid-October.” (said a team official)

 

 

Currently, various names are being considered for the position, including former Hanshin manager Akihiro Yano (55) and Hiromitsu Ochiai (70), but it seems that former player Masahiro Yamamoto (59) is being strongly recommended by team officials and stakeholders.

 

“Masahiro was an active player until he was 50, achieving a total of 219 wins and a no-hitter, so his track record is impeccable, and he is well-known among fans. His reputation as a commentator is also quite good, and he knows baseball better than Tatematsu (laughs). However, he doesn’t have much of a network within the organization, so the formation of the coaching staff will likely need to be largely guided by the team. Well, this might be convenient because it could lead to a manager who listens to the organization. The upper management of Chunichi probably prefers a lighter figurehead. But I feel that reform can’t happen if they’re just following the upper management’s orders.” (source)

 

When it comes to bringing in big names from outside, there is a risk of them attaching conditions like “ensure control over player development,” so there seems to be considerable support for promoting current farm team manager Kazuki Inoue (53) from within.

“During his previous tenure as the farm team manager, he led the team to victory, and he has strengthened the team enough to compete for the championship this time as well. He also has experience serving as the head coach for the first team at Hanshin. Some may argue that competing for a championship in the farm league doesn’t hold much significance, but it is certainly true that Inoue has the ability to make effective decisions. He also has a bright personality. If there is a downside, it would be that, like Tatematsu, he tends to emphasize mental aspects a bit too much.” (said a team staff member)

If the focus is on improving the team’s batting strength.

Former slugger and baseball commentator Takeshi Yamasaki (55) is also among the candidates.

 

“He is an alumnus with the right skills to address the team’s lack of offensive power, having been a home run king with both Chunichi and Rakuten. He has a strong reputation, so he could help elevate other Chunichi alumni while bringing in talented coaches from outside. His relationships with Masahiro Yamamoto and his protégé Kosuke Fukudome (47) are also good, so the two could assist him in various ways.” (said a team official)

 

The organization also needs to expedite the process of hiring a new manager.

 

“We need to solidify the structure before the draft meeting on October 24. We can’t make selections without deciding how to build the team and what our strategy will be. The new manager and coaching staff will need to establish close communication with the players during the autumn camp and autumn training scheduled to begin on November 1. One of the shortcomings of Tatematsu was his connection with younger players. It’s still fresh in our memory that players and staff who felt intimidated or dissatisfied with Tatematsu leaked grievances to the media, causing a ‘Reiwa rice riot.'” (said another former team member)

 

Chunichi has become a significantly weaker team. The heavy responsibility of rebuilding this prestigious franchise will fall to someone who will it be?