Nippon-Ham’s Shinjo Sparks Buzz with Quirky Pennant Race Comment

“It’s more exciting if we fight for the championship until the very end.”

Under the leadership of Tsuyoshi Shinjo (53), the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters are engaged in a fierce battle with the SoftBank Hawks for the league championship, aiming for their first title since 2016.

Outfielder Franmil Reyes (30) is leading the lineup with league-leading home runs and RBIs, while ace pitcher Hiromi Ito (28) is in position to contend for the most wins for the second consecutive year, showing that the team’s offense and defense are working in sync.

In mid-August, they suffered a three-game sweep at the Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka against SoftBank, putting them on the brink of collapse. However, they bounced back by sweeping the three-game series at Es Con Field Hokkaido from the 22nd.

“Shinjo, who normally tries to maintain a cheerful and energetic appearance, could not hide his disappointment after the three consecutive losses, but he has now fully returned to battle mode. Bouncing back with a sweep in such a desperate situation was a big deal,” said a reporter covering the Fighters.

As the heated Pacific League race continues into September, team insiders jokingly said, “Shinjo’s unique points will be key.”

“The team’s victories from here on depend on whether the manager can stay ‘excited.’ On a hot August day, Shinjo passionately told those around him, ‘The Central League is dominated by Hanshin, but baseball is more exciting when the championship race goes to the very end. I get fired up during the top-of-the-league battles with SoftBank! I literally get aroused during the game. In tense situations, I’m fully pumped!’”

In other words, if the Fighters can keep Shinjo excited, a championship will naturally be within reach.

“Originally, Shinjo planned to manage for three years and then leave the league, but he extended his contract because he wanted to chase the title. At first, his antics drew criticism from former players, but he’s fiercely competitive and truly passionate about winning. So that so-called arousal story isn’t just a joke—it’s genuinely true, I think (laughs). I hope he ends it with the best possible result,” said a former league insider.

As the season enters its final stretch, fans are eager to be thrilled by the intense games.