The Yokohama BayStars announced Monday that baseball commentator Akihiko Oya will return to the Central League team for his second stint as manager, taking over from Kazuhiko Ushijima, who resigned after two years in charge.
Carp infielder Itsuki Asai smiles at his retirement press conference at team headquarters on Monday.
KYODO PHOTOOya, the 58-year-old former Tokyo Yakult Swallows catcher who managed the BayStars in 1996-97, has agreed with Yokohama on a three-year deal carrying an annual salary of 80 million yen and a 5 million yen signing bonus.
"I didn't have experience as a manager the last time, but this time I think I've been given an opportunity to get the job done to the best of my ability and change the BayStars," Oya said.
Oya left Yokohama after the 1997 season amid a reported row with team officials.
Furuta's plan
Tokyo Yakult Swallows player-manager Atsuya Furuta said Monday he intends to continue his playing career for the Central League team next season.
"I believe I'll get a new offer (as player-manager), and hopefully I'll play in more games than this year," Furuta said ahead of Yakult's final game in the first year of his career as manager.
Igawa's gem
Kei Igawa struck out 10 in his third shutout of the season and Tomoaki Kanemoto and Lin Wei-zhu homered Monday as the Hanshin Tigers blanked the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 3-0 on the final day of the Central League regular season.
Igawa (14-9) allowed six hits and walked three in a 139-pitch outing at Jingu Stadium.
Carp 7, Dragons 5
At Hiroshima Stadium, Takahiro Arai highlighted a five-run fifth-inning rally with a go-ahead two-run triple as the Carp beat league champion Chunichi, which rested CL home run and RBI leader Tyrone Woods and batting champion Kosuke Fukudome.