With the announcement of Hanshin Yano’s resignation, a “candidate for the next manager who is not Okada’s main target” suddenly emerges

The resignation of Yohji Yano, 53, manager of the Hanshin baseball team, has caused a stir.

On January 31, the day before the start of camp, Yano told his players that he would quit as manager at the end of this season. It was a shocking announcement just before the start of the season, and the players were at a loss.

It seems that Yano had decided to step down at the end of last season when the team failed to win the championship. I think he feels a sense of responsibility because he was leading the championship by seven games until the last minute when Yakult snatched it away from him. I guess he feels responsible for that.

However, the leaders knew about Yano’s decision, but the players were not informed of anything. The coaches and the rest of the team can’t hide their upset. It’s a fact that while some people are calling for Yano to go on his merry way and ‘win the championship this year,’ there are also some who are cold-hearted and say, ‘Even if we lose a lot of games, the commander-in-chief, who has already resigned, won’t take responsibility.

Regardless of the results of this season, Yano’s retirement is a foregone conclusion. Even though the camp has just started, the selection process for the next manager has already begun. The main candidate is an influential former player who has won a championship.

Akinobu Okada, who won the championship as manager in 2005, can formulate a precise strategy based on data. He is said to be full of enthusiasm. The only problem is that he speaks out clearly to the front office. Most of the team’s executives are seconded from Hanshin Electric Railway. They try to drive safely and do not like trouble. They may shun Mr. Okada, who expresses his opinions on matters such as organization.

The next name on the list is Masayuki Kakefu, who served as the second team manager until 2005. He was well received by the players for his soft guidance under the motto of “developing their strengths. However, he didn’t get along well with then first team manager Tomonori Kanemoto, who was a strict coach, and retired voluntarily. Since then, he has been difficult to touch at the baseball team.

A mature person.

Both Okada and Kakefu are legends of Hanshin, but for today’s players, they are probably “stars of history. Both are in their 60s, more than 10 years older than Yano. They are both in their 60s, more than 10 years older than Yano, and seem to be “too big a name” if we are to focus on generational change.

One of the candidates that has emerged is former guardian deity Kyuji Fujikawa, who retired in 2008. At 41 years old, he is still young enough to be a leader, but he is currently helping to manage the team as a ‘special advisor. He was a catcher when he was active, and he and manager Yano formed a battery, so he would be the perfect person to carry on his legacy. Mr. Fujikawa also respects Mr. Yano as a ‘mature person’ who has the ability to see through people.

As a member of the Japanese national team, he has experienced the world stage at the WBC (World Baseball Classic). He is well versed in the latest baseball. I think he’s the perfect person to impress the new Tigers.

His personality is also said to be perfect for a leader.

His personality is also perfect for a leader. He has been a big brother and listener since he was an active player, and young players love him. He has a lot of experience, not only in the majors but also in the independent league in Shikoku where he struggled and returned to the Hanshin team. Even when the team was losing, he didn’t look back, but encouraged the team to ‘look forward in times like these. He has also said that he would like to become a leader eventually. I think he would be a good coach for us.

Yano’s announcement of his resignation has caused a stir. The next leader of the team will be forced to steer a difficult course under even more pressure.