Too bad about the resignation/firing of Yokohama BayStars manager Kazuhiko Ushijima. I thought he was one of the better young skippers to come along in many a year, but he's being shown the exit door after only two seasons at the helm.
The 45-year-old former Chunichi Dragons and Lotte Orions closer got the most out of his players in 2005, leading the Port City men to a surprising third place finish in the Central League. This season, however, the 'Stars have been in the CL basement all year (except for one day when they actually passed the Yomiuri Giants), and they are likely to finish in the cellar.
High on the list of those sorry to see Ushijima go is current Yokohama bullpen ace Marc Kroon. During his two years with the club, Kroon has never stopped talking about how much he enjoys playing for his manager and how the two of them get along so well because, having been a closer himself, Ushijima is aware as well as anyone how Kroon feels coming into a ninth-inning jam with a one-run lead and the game on the line.