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.

Aiming for the top in a new environment

“In his final year as an active player, he served as both the battery coach and the team’s coach for two years with the San Diego Padres, thanks to a partnership between the two teams. Upon returning to Japan, he immediately took on the role of first-team battery and strategy coach under the renowned manager, Hideki Kuriyama (63), where he learned the ropes of leadership. To put it bluntly, it seems that while Nippon Ham was nurturing Nakajima as a future manager, Orix has snatched him away. Nakajima is a man of strong conviction, and it’s clear he has a deep sense of gratitude towards Nippon Ham.” (Sports writer Yamato Fujimoto)

There is no need to explain the impressive ability to rebuild the Orix, which was in last place, and achieve three consecutive championships. When the great coach departed, he told the reporters:

 

“Of course, I had the feeling of wanting to get back at them, but if I were to get back at them, I would prefer a new approach.”

“I understood from various newspapers that the message was about Orix aiming to reclaim the championship with a new system, but to me, it sounded like the determination to aim for the top in a new environment. Nippon Ham has not yet decided on a manager for next season. This is because Manager Shinjo has put his response to the team’s request for him to continue on hold, stating, ‘Right now, I’m only thinking about winning the Japan Series.’ Atsunori Inaba, the 2nd team manager, whose name has been mentioned as a candidate to succeed Shinjo, is said to have moved his base to the Kanto area. Nakajima said, ‘I want to take it easy for a while,’ but I believe there’s a possibility—however small—that he could make a sudden appointment through a sideways move” (according to Mr. Fujimoto).

Mr. Fujimoto continued, “Nakajima is contrary by nature.”

Both managers who battled in last year’s Japan Series have departed: Mr. Dragons has left, and the future of Big Boss is also uncertain. The stove league has begun to heat up.