This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
Of course, this was expected. And the reasoning is sound, with nothing to do with Livedoor's president. The final arguement comes down to, if the team is 40-oku yen in the red, that represents 27% of Rakuten's income and 80% of Livedoor's. Which can handle the red ink better?
Furthermore, Hanshin's Kuma-owner, in his last act as the Tiger's top executive in the meeting the day before, let slip "It would be fine if (the dropped team) gets in at the next chance. Compared to me, he's still young, young. A spirited 31 year old." Well, Livedoor's Horie-president happened to turn 32 last Saturday (October 30). Oops.
Anyway, while I was rooting for the underdog, I agree with the owners' decision, and would have selected Rakuten as well based on the information I've read.
Congratulations Rakuten for the birth of your new Eagles. And I look forward to seeing the Livedoor Pheonix rising from the ashes in the near future.