He led the Japan Series for the first time in 38 years, but retired to replace the 67-year-old coach, Hanshin Okada, and the next head coach Fujikawa (Min Chang-ki's Japanese baseball)
Oct 03, 2024
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It is a retirement that is far from a general poor performance.
Coach Okada's Hanshin rushed to win the Central League. He pushed his destiny rival Yomiuri Giants to the end, but lacked a sense of background. After fierce competition, he gave up the championship to Yomiuri. He lost his first league title in a row. But the postseason, climax series is waiting. There is still a chance to lose two consecutive Japanese series.
The final season of a two-year contract. We can't help but talk about a second term. In the meantime, the team's leadership has been reticent. Coach Okada said, `I don't intend to do it for long.' When I signed the contract two years ago, I said, `I hope a successor will come out in two years,' but it became a reality.
Born in 1957. He is the oldest head coach. When he was appointed last year, he was one year older than former Yomiuri coach Tatsunori Hara. Former coach Ha-ra, who welcomed Okada to return, retired at the end of last season as he finished the B-Class (4th to 6th out of 6 teams) for the second consecutive year.
Coach Okada, who returned to Hanshin for the first time in 15 years, led the team to win the league for the first time in 18 years and the Japan Series for the first time in 38 years. Made a shining 2023.
I achieved a lot as a player and a leader. Infielder Okada contributed to his first win in the Japan Series as a Hanshin center hitter in 1985. He had a batting average of 342, 35 home runs, and 101 RBIs in that year. And 38 years later, he led Hanshin to his second victory as the head coach.
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Generational change awaits. Hanshin's Finishing 'Legend'Fujikawa Kyuji (44) is mentioned as the likely successor head coach. He is 23 years younger than Okada.
Fujikawa played as the main pitcher during Okada's tenure in the mid-2000s. He retired as a player at the end of 2020 and has worked as a special assistant for Hanshin owner for the past two years. He mainly recruited foreign players and analyzed the power of other teams.
Fujikawa, who joined as a rookie in 1999, played 782 games for Hanshin. He recorded a career-high 60 wins, 38 losses, 243 saves, 163 holds, and 2.08 ERA. He was the save king twice and the hold first twice.
He moved to Major League Baseball in 2013. After three years, he returned to Hanshin. When he left for the United States, Hanshin recruited closer Oh Seung-hwan. Fujikawa played 29 games for the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, but did not show the expected performance.
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Earlier, the Chunichi Dragons and Seibu Lions decided to replace their coaches.
huelva@sportschosun.com
