Softbank Hawks manager Sadaharu Oh, who has been rehabilitating since having stomach cancer surgery in July, wants to watch his team's final regular-season home game, Softbank officials said Thursday.
Oh has told team officials that he plans to go to Yahoo Dome to watch the Sept. 24 game against the Orix Buffaloes at a time when the Hawks are locked in a tight race with the Seibu Lions and the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters for an advantage in the postseason playoffs.
The first-place finisher of the Pacific League's regular season will receive a bye in the first stage of the playoffs and have a one-win advantage at the start of the second stage, from which the winner advances to the Japan Series to face the Central League champion.
Oh, the all-time home run king in Japanese baseball, left the team indefinitely after being diagnosed with stomach cancer and underwent an operation on July 17 to remove his entire stomach.
The Hawks have been steered by acting manager Hiroshi Moriwaki since Oh's leave. Softbank said the 66-year-old will remain hospitalized for the time being but it is likely he will gradually spend more time at his home.