Inside the Giants’ Urgent Search for a New Manager Following Shinnosuke Abe’s Arrest

This is something we simply can’t cover up

It was an unprecedented arrest. On May 25, former Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe (47) was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of assault. The following day, May 26, he offered his resignation, which was accepted. A sitting manager during the season—and of the Yomiuri Giants, no less. By any measure, the incident could only be described as extraordinary.

According to reports, on the evening of May 25, Abe allegedly grabbed his 18-year-old eldest daughter’s collar and shoved her while trying to break up a fight between his two daughters, aged 18 and 15, at his home in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

“The incident came to light after the eldest daughter used generative AI to look up how to handle the situation and contacted a child consultation center. The center then called 110, and Abe was taken to Shibuya Police Station. TBS, which has long been strong in covering local police matters, was the first to report the news, followed by TV Asahi and Fuji Television. Meanwhile, sports newspapers were somewhat slower to react because there were no professional baseball games that day and staffing was limited. Reporters rushed to Shibuya Police Station, and the scene was chaotic,” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department.

At around 12:20 a.m. on May 26, Abe was released from custody and left Shibuya Police Station in what appeared to be a chauffeured car arranged by the team. Later that morning, he held an apology press conference at the Giants’ offices inside the Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo headquarters in Otemachi. There, he announced that he had personally offered his resignation to owner Juichi Yamaguchi (69), who had accepted it.

Abe shed tears as he said:

“I have tarnished the name of the proud Giants organization.”

“Because of troubles within my family, I have caused great concern and inconvenience to many baseball fans, those involved in professional baseball, and the company.”

“Even Abe himself probably never imagined he would be arrested,” said a source connected to the Giants organization.

“After his arrest, Abe personally contacted several companies with which he had close relationships, explained the circumstances, and apologized, saying, ‘I have caused you trouble.’ These companies had ties with him dating back to his playing days. It was likely a reflection of his sense of responsibility as the Giants’ manager.

However, some observers have taken a colder view, suggesting that, since he would likely have to refrain from baseball-related work for some time, these calls may also have been made with an eye toward a second career.”

Abe reportedly informed owner Yamaguchi of his intention to resign. Although some voices suggested that, given the circumstances, the organization could have tried to persuade him to stay, it appears highly likely that the Giants had already decided to dismiss him even before he offered to step down.

“There have been arrests involving active players and related personnel before. In those cases, the team’s parent company utilized its position as a media organization to manage the response. In the past, the first report of a Giants manager being arrested would probably have come from the ‘Yomiuri Shimbun or Sports Hochi.’ But times have changed since the days when chief editor Tsuneo Watanabe, who passed away the year before last, was still active.

There was a clear message from headquarters that this is something we can’t protect. Owner Yamaguchi therefore decided on dismissal. Although the press conference created an atmosphere of reconciliation—such as when a letter written by Abe’s eldest daughter was read aloud—it was not enough to overturn the organization’s collective decision. Presenting it as ‘Manager Abe’s own decision’ may have been the final act of consideration shown toward someone who had contributed so much to the team,” the same source said.

In response to Abe’s arrest, owner Yamaguchi issued the following statement:

“The fact that he resorted to violence is a serious matter, and we determined that he could not continue as manager. We sincerely apologize to all baseball fans and everyone involved in professional baseball for this major scandal occurring just before interleague play.”

A fourth term would be a bit much

As the Giants prepared to enter interleague play beginning on May 26, the team was scrambling to respond in the wake of Abe’s resignation.

“The circumstances were explained to the players and staff during a team meeting held on the 26th, but there was nothing beyond what had already been reported in the media. Hideki Hashigami (60), who has been entrusted with managing the team as interim manager, has also been unable to hide his surprise at being thrust into the position so suddenly,” said a team staff member.

Confusion continued at Tokyo Dome as well.

“The Giants held pregame practice following the meeting on the 26th, and as expected, the stadium was flooded not only with the usual beat reporters and broadcasting personnel but also with members of the media who had come out of curiosity.

Normally, reporters are allowed onto the field to interview coaches and players, but the team announced, ‘Until 2 p.m., please conduct your reporting from the press seats and stands.’ After practice, interim manager Hashigami and team captain Yukinori Kishida (29) handled the media scrum. The organization has been focused on risk management to prevent unnecessary information from leaking out,” said a sports newspaper reporter.

A former Giants player who has known Abe since his rookie days commented:

“The repercussions of Shinnosuke’s arrest have been even greater than expected. Hashigami’s tenure as interim manager is only temporary—at most, it will last through this season. The organization has likely already begun the process of selecting candidates for the next manager.”

“At this point, owner Yamaguchi is not considering Shinnosuke’s return next season or beyond. The two names most frequently mentioned are Yoshinobu Takahashi (51) and special adviser to the owner Tatsunori Hara (67). However, Takahashi became manager immediately after retiring as a player, and many former players feel that it would be unfair to ask him to take the job again unless the team is already in a position to win.

As for Hara, there’s an undeniable feeling that a fourth administration would be a bit much. Some people have voiced support for Masumi Kuwata (58), but whether he would actually accept the position is another matter. Hideki Matsui (51), whose appointment as manager has long been eagerly anticipated, is reportedly more likely to take over in conjunction with the completion of the team’s new stadium. There’s also the possibility that a veteran player who has supported the team could follow Takahashi’s path and become manager immediately after retirement.”

For a man who led the team to a championship in his very first season as manager, having his tenure end in this manner feels especially heartbreaking.