Speculation Surrounds Former Orix Manager Satoshi Nakajima’s Move to Nippon Ham

“I heard that the team has been requesting his continuation since summer, so I thought ‘perhaps…’. The manager is famous for being contrary,” said a sports newspaper editor.

 

The “sudden” resignation of Orix manager Satoshi Nakajima (55) has been reported by various media. However, many reporters felt a sense of foreboding regarding his departure. Furthermore, they also mention, “He might take charge of Nippon Ham next.”

Even Hanshin’s manager Okada, who fought in the Japan Series.

After the final game of the season against Rakuten, manager Nakajima shared his reasons for resigning, leaving many associates impressed.

“I often used the word ‘responsibility.’ I told the players, ‘We have the responsibility, so please go all out.’ Considering that, I feel I need to take responsibility for how the team has dropped to this level.”

“If we continue doing things as we have been, people tend to ‘get used to’ it. This year, that sense of familiarity has manifested strongly. At first, I emphasized the need for full effort and the importance of switching between offense and defense, saying, ‘Please take care of that.’ Starting from last place, it’s strange that a team in that position can’t do those things.”

“When it came to whether the winning team could afford not to do it, no matter how much I said it, those issues weren’t improved. Why couldn’t they do it? In crucial games like the CS Finals or the Japan Series, they would step up. We had a minimum promise to perform consistently throughout the year, but it seemed that commitment was lacking. If they can’t perform despite being told repeatedly, it feels like nothing was said at all, and I think it boils down to familiarity.”

The first to respond was Nippon Ham’s manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo (52). The day after Nakajima announced, “I’m resigning,” he shared his thoughts in front of reporters.

“I saw Nakajima’s comments, and I really understand those feelings. Over the past three years, I noticed moments where the Orix players seemed to be ‘slacking off’ in their running. The current Fighters, who are climbing toward victory, don’t have that. But if they had three consecutive championships, it might be different.”

“No matter how many times I said it, they wouldn’t run. Even when I signaled for advancing on base, how many times did they hit pop-ups? This was a frequent lament from Hanshin’s manager Akihiro Okada (66), who missed out on the Allenpa. It was likely because he wanted to correct the laxity of a team that had reached the pinnacle.”

Manager Nakajima’s professional career began with the Hankyu Braves. He then moved to Seibu and Yokohama before retiring with Nippon Ham. Out of his 29-year career, he spent the longest time—12 years—at Nippon Ham.