Two summers ago, Kazuyoshi Tatsunami steamed from Yokohama Stadium’s visitors dugout as Chunichi Dragons shortstop Yota Kyoda fumbled a tricky bouncer up the middle.
The play was the second to last straw, and upon Kyoda’s return to the dugout, Tatsunami ordered him to get his stuff, leave the stadium at once and head to Nagoya Stadium to report to the farm team.
Former closer Kyuji Fujikawa is the top candidate to replace Hanshin Tigers manager Akinobu Okada after he steps down at the end of this season, Kyodo News reported Sunday, citing a team source.
The 66-year-old Okada returned as Hanshin skipper last season and led the team to its second Japan Series triumph, its first since he was one of their biggest stars in 1985.