Orix BlueWave manager Akira Ogi indicated Thursday that he will step down as skipper of the Pacific League club at the end of this season.
"It's just as it has been reported in the media," said Ogi, confirming rumors he would retire.
Ogi, who was hired as manager for the BlueWave in 1994, placed third-year outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (currently with the Seattle Mariners) in the leadoff position in a bid to strengthen the club's batting lineup.
Ichiro won the first of seven straight league batting titles and Orix placed second in the PL pennant race that year.
Ogi, whose managing style relied on his intuition and became known as "Ogi magic," led his team to a PL championships in 1995 and 1996.
The BlueWave, led by Ichiro, won the 1996 Japan Series in five games over the Yomiuri Giants.
The BlueWave, however, have been unable to win a championship since and have steadily slipped in the PL standings, finishing in fourth place last year for the first time ever.
As of Wednesday, Orix was in fourth place in the standings with a 59-61 record and seven games out of first place.
Event toned down
Due to the tragic events that occurred in New York and other areas in the U.S. on Tuesday, the Nippon Ham Fighters have regretfully decided to cancel this year's AIWA Yankees Day ceremony scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Tokyo Dome.
While the usual Yankees Day events will not take place, the Pacific League game between the Fighters and the Chiba Lotte Marines will go on as scheduled, beginning at 1:30 p.m., and fans holding tickets are welcome.