Masataka Nashida will have some big shoes to fill as he takes over for outgoing Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman, but the former Kintetsu Buffaloes skipper said Saturday he hopes to build an even stronger team in 2008. Nashida, 54, made the remarks at a press conference with club owner Hiroji Okoso also in attendance. "The team should be strong. We have pressure to win but rising to the occasion is what professionals do," said Nashida, who will return to the helm of a pro baseball team for the first time since leaving his stint as the Kintetsu manager four years ago. "I'd like the new team to take on the 'Nashida color' and become even stronger." Nashida has reached a two-year deal with the Fighters for an estimated annual salary of ¥100 million. He also receives a ¥50 million signing bonus.
