Yakult Swallows manager Tsutomu Wakamatsu, who led his Central League team to the Japan Series title this past season, was named the recipient of the Matsutaro Shoriki award Wednesday for his contributions to the development of Japanese baseball.
Wakamatsu beat out Yakult players Atsuya Furuta and Roberto Petagine, Yomiuri Giants manager Shigeo Nagashima, home run king Tuffy Rhodes of the Kintetsu Buffaloes and Seattle Mariners sensation Ichiro Suzuki for the award.
"Wakamatsu was effective in leading a team that no one thought could win. He created a sense of harmony and led them to the championship," said Tetsuharu Kawakami, the former Yomiuri manager who chaired the selection committee.