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
Rumors have been going about Nomura's demise since one of his step sons wrote a "tell all" book about his mother at the end of the season. The book turned out to be a best seller to tabloids and the Japanese equivilent to the IRS who started an investigation.
A number of possible replacements for Nomura had been brought up before Nomura decided to step out of the public light. Among them were two managers who retired this year, Ohgi (Orix) and Hoshino (Chunichi).
However, Hanshin is the second oldest professional ball club in Japan, and has a long tradition of hiring from within. Since the War, Nomura was the 5th out of 18 (or there abouts) managers for Kansai's favorite team. Since "outsiders" have only managed to help the team to two championships (Fujimoto in 1962 and 1964), most Hanshin fans have been pulling for 2-gun manager Okada-kantoku to get the post. I think Wada was another possible internal name raised.
Despite most fans wanting to keep everything "within the company," one would be hard pressed to find anybody in the mainstream press speaking out against the decision to go with Hoshino. What free agent Kataoka or the Giants' Doi-representative thought of Hoshino-kantoku changing uniforms was considered more important to the press than Okada's "It hasn't been decided yet, so I have nothing to say" comment. (OK. So Doi was more long winded, but...)
Nonetheless, Okada has a point. A formal announcement as to whether or not Hoshino will accept the post is expected to take place next Monday (12/10).