Kanemoto OKs offer to become Tigers’ manager

Kanemoto OKs offer to become Tigers’ manager

OSAKA – Former Hanshin Tigers star Tomoaki Kanemoto has agreed to take over as the Tigers’ manager for next season, the Central League club said on Saturday.

The 47-year-old Kanemoto was viewed as the popular choice to take the job after the club announced on Sept. 30 that Yutaka Wada would be resigning at the end of this season.

The club had been negotiating with Kanemoto after offering him the job on Oct. 1 and he contacted Hanshin club president Nobuo Minami by telephone on Saturday to accept the post.

Hanshin, playing under Wada for the fourth season, moved into title contention in the summer but ran out of steam down the stretch and was eliminated from the CL pennant race on Sept. 27.

Hanshin finished third in the regular season but lost 2-1 to the Yomiuri Giants in the first stage of the CL Climax Series.

Article Source : The Japan Times » Sports category » Baseball
Image Source : Google Image