FUKUOKA (Kyodo) The Softbank Hawks on Wednesday named Koji Akiyama as successor to Sadaharu Oh, who has left his manager's post due to health reasons after 14 years at the helm of the Pacific League club.
Oh will work as a special adviser for the remainder of the year before he moves to his new post of chairman of the board of directors from Jan. 1, 2009.
"I want to do what I can for a team that I love," said Akiyama, who has been on Softbank's coaching staff since 2005. "I want to create a strong Softbank team."
Akiyama, 46, joined the Seibu Lions as a non-draft pick in 1981 and moved to Softbank's forerunner, the Daiei Hawks in 1994. He was the home run king in the 1987 season and has played 10 times in the Japan Series.